Sacked BoI manager seeks names of who sent porn emails

The identities of dozens of Bank of Ireland employees, managers, and executives alleged to have exchanged lewd pornographic emails are to be sought in a fight by a sacked manager to retain his reinstated status.

Barrister Johanna Ronan-Mehigan told the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that to date they had hidden behind the cloak of anonymity in Employment Appeals Tribunal proceedings.

“I want them named so that I can subpoena them to give evidence in this court and I will be bringing a discovery motion to find out who they are,” she told Judge Matthew Deery.

Ms Ronan-Mehigan represents manager James Reilly, of Edgewood Lawn, Blanchardstown, Dublin, who was sacked from his position with the bank at Main St, Blanchardstown, in Aug 2009, for circulating “obscene and offensive” emails.

The tribunal found he had been unfairly dismissed and directed that he be reinstated to his old job — a decision now being appealed by Bank of Ireland.

The tribunal heard that at least 150 employees were on the list of people who exchanged pornographic emails.

Mr Reilly told the tribunal he forwarded emails, described as pornographic, rude, racist, and sexist, often without looking at them, to other male staff to mask his homosexuality.

Ms Ronan-Mehigan said Mr Reilly had been fully reinstated following a seven-day hearing before the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

“The emails were sent to my client’s computer inbox and they came from Baggot St down. That is why Mr Reilly was dismissed. Many others were not fired.”

She told Judge Deery she wanted them named and if this was not done voluntarily by the bank, she would be bringing a motion of discovery to find out who they are so she could subpoena them.

Yesterday’s court appeal was adjourned to allow the parties discuss the possibility of voluntary discovery or permit time for the bringing of a motion directing discovery and the naming of other as-yet unidentified employees caught in the chain of email exchanges.

The tribunal had heard that at least one of a series of obscene emails originated in the bank’s Baggot St, Dublin, head office.