Ex-partner calls Irvine a 'coward' in legal row

RETIRED motor racing star Eddie Irvine has been branded "a coward" by his former business partner in a further escalation of a bitter legal row between the one-time best friends.

Dublin businessman John Foley yesterday told the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) that the former Formula One driver was a coward over his failure to appear as a witness at the hearing.

Mr Foley is taking a case for unfair dismissal against a company he co-owns with Mr Irvine called Calview Investments. It runs two of Dublin's best-known pubs, including the upmarket Cocoon bar off Grafton Street.

He claims he was sacked from his €75,000 a year job as manager of Cocoon in April 2003 because Mr Irvine wanted to take over total control of Calview. However, the company claims Mr Foley was dismissed for bouncing cheques in Cocoon as well as using the firm's money to pay off his personal debts.

The EAT hearing in Dublin, which began in July 2004, is part of an acrimonious legal battle between the former friends. Mr Foley is also taking a number of High Court actions against Mr Irvine to decide on ownership of Calview as well as suing the racing driver for defamation.

"I've sat here for one-and-a-half years to face unfounded accusations," Mr Foley told the EAT yesterday. His comment came as he faced cross-examination by lawyers for Mr Irvine. He claimed Mr Irvine - whom he calls Edmund - had twice tried to have him barred from Cocoon, despite the fact that he owns a 50% shareholding in the premises.

"He has been attempting to deliberately blacken my name," said Mr Foley.

He claimed one of Mr Irvine's own witnesses had effectively branded the former sportsman a liar in earlier evidence this week.

Mr Foley also quoted a Sunday Independent article from August 2003 in which he alleged Mr Irvine had denied that they were ever friends.

However, Calview's barrister, Tom Mallon SC described Mr Foley's comments as "outrageous".

Mr Irvine is due to celebrate his 40th birthday in Dublin this weekend with a lavish party in Cocoon.

The tribunal heard that Mr Irvine first got involved with Cocoon in November 2000 when he gave Mr Foley a £250,000 loan. His total investment to date in the bar is now around €1.65 million. Mr Foley said the Northern Ireland star knew the cash flow position with Cocoon and his other pub, O'Reilly's on Tara Street at the time was "very, very tight".

"Edmund is a very accomplished property investor," said Mr Foley.

He claimed Mr Irvine's reason for getting involved in the business was due to his plans to open a 'superpub' and nightclub at the junction of Duke Lane and Duke Street which would incorporate Cocoon.

"Edmund saw the big picture," he remarked.

The hearing continues on Monday.