Judge wants credit union dispute settled

THOSE involved in the Gurranabraher Credit Union row involving the sacking of two of its executives, were advised by a High Court judge to try to avoid a protracted dispute in public by settling the issues outside the court before the case resumes today.

Mr Justice Kearns said that nobody wanted to see the row fought out over a protracted period in the court, and expressed the hope that wiser counsel would prevail before the hearing recommences this morning.

The former manager and former deputy manager of the Gurranebraher Credit Union in Cork city began their action yesterday in which they allege they were wrongfully dismissed.

Alec Good, Hillcourt, Donnybrook, Douglas, Cork and his former deputy, Patricia O'Neill, Presentation Road, Gurranebraher have brought their claim against the local credit union only. The branch has a turnover of about €150 million a year.

Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns was told that the chairman of the credit union branch, Con O'Leary, St Rita's Avenue, Cork city was not being sued as a co-defendant.

The Judge said that having read the papers in the case he had every intention of concentrating on the central issue in the case whether Good and O'Neill were wrongfully dismissed, and if so, what relief should follow. Neither were employed by O'Leary, and in essence the dispute was with the Gurranebraher branch.

The court is first dealing with Good's claim. The Gurranebraher credit union deny all the claims made by Good and O'Neill.

Dr John O'Mahony, in agreeing that they would not be pursing O'Leary as a defendant, said that O'Leary was centrally involved in the defence entered on behalf of Gurranebraher credit union.

John Trainor SC, for O'Leary said his client would be a witness for the credit union. The court had already indicated, he added, that it would not hear allegations that might be made against O'Leary, without his lawyers being present.