Sacked accountant ‘was collateral damage in row’

An accountant sacked by a national sporting organisation was “collateral damage” and “the jam in the sandwich” in a row between the club’s current president and other executive members, a tribunal has heard.

The comments came in closing submissions at the Employment Appeals Tribunal in an unfair dismissal case taken by Edmund O’Brien, 50, of Newmarket, Co Cork, against the Irish Coursing Club.

He was dismissed in Jan 2010, a decision upheld on appeal, for alleged falsification of accounts and misappropriation of funds.