Controversial business park pays €100k in damages

A controversial business park in Wicklow that was in receipt of State support paid out more than €100,000 in damages and settlements to employees last year.

The Wicklow Enterprise Park has recently been the subject of scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee.

Prior to that the grants body, Pobal, raised concerns about the amount of money it reportedly spent on foreign travel and expenses of board members and staff.

Pobal recommended an in-depth investigation of the company’s affairs.

The company did not receive any grant support last year and Enterprise Ireland withheld €25,000 of outstanding payments pending a review of the operation of the business.

Three directors resigned from the board last year and concerns were raised about an ex gratia payment made to one departing director in 2012.

The accounts for the business were published yesterday and revealed that it made a €86,000 profit on ordinary activities but a €2.2m loss on the revaluation of its property.

The accounts also confirmed that €76,000 was paid to the former manager of its enterprise park, Martina Robinson, in damages and the company made a €20,000 contribution towards her legal costs.

Ms Robinson had lodged a claim against the company on the grounds of alleged bullying. This was offset by a claim against the company’s insurance policy.

It also paid €15,000 as a termination payment to a “director/secretary and manager”.

The company’s chairman is the former Wicklow County manager, Blaise Treacy. The current county manager in Wicklow, Eddie Sheehy, is also a director.

The board was the focus of controversy last year when it emerged that some board members and their wives were flown to Florida for a trip which cost €22,000. This provoked at least one of the resignations as it was felt some directors were not consulted.