Friend downloaded client details before setting up own firm

The owner of a property management company fired his friend after it emerged the latter had downloaded the company’s database before setting up his own company.

James O’Connor told the Employment Appeals Tribunal he had done so to protect his own business as Gordon Anderson had downloaded the material containing details of 2,900 clients, in order he could hit the ground running when setting up business for himself.

Mr O’Connor, managing director of OCPM Property Consultants of Glasnevin, Dublin, was defending an unfair dismissal action taken by Mr Anderson following his dismissal in April 2013.