Early hearing for manager

AN electrical retailer administrative manager, who claims she was demoted and transferred after she texted the Lord’s Prayer to colleagues, is to get an early hearing of her High Court action over disciplinary procedures taken by her employer.

Alicia Long, Newbury Park, Derriturn, Co Kildare, obtained a temporary injunction last month restraining Harvey Norman (Ireland) Ltd from holding a hearing into accusations by the company of gross misconduct over the texting to colleagues in the Naas branch where she works.

Mr Justice Michael Hanna, after hearing argument from both sides, said it was a case that should go for full hearing as soon as possible.

On that basis, he was ordering that Ms Long turn up for work at the company’s Rathfarnham branch, continuing to be paid as an administrative manager, until the outcome of a hearing of the full court proceedings which will take place on May 11.