High Court hearing of Foley case begins

The High Court has been told that Aer Lingus breached its own disciplinary guidelines by refusing its CEO Michael Foley the right of appeal after he was effectively found guilty for sexual harassment.

The court heard that Aer Lingus told Michael Foley that he could only appeal disciplinary findings against him after a decision on his future was reached.

Michael Foley is denying allegations that he sexually harassed two female colleagues at the State airline last year.

Quoting a staff manual in court, counsel for Mr Foley, Mary Irvine, pointed out that procedures in place by Aer Lingus showed that disciplinary measures can only be put in place after appeal procedures were exhausted.

The court also heard that two allegations of sexual harassment made against Michael Foley were not corroborated by employees Joan Loughnane and Anne Lawlor.