Newspaper executive gets order restraining his dissmissal

An executive with the publishers of the Post group of local newspapers has today been granted a High Court order preventing his dismissal.

Blair Scales (aged 41) with an address at Strandhill, Co Sligo, secured a temporary injunction restraining River Newspaper Holdings Limited from terminating his employment as production director with the newspaper group.

The injunction, which was made on a one side only basis, was granted by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, who made the matter returnable to early next week.

Counsel for Mr Scales Hugh Mohan SC told the court that in 2007 his client took up "a very senior position" with the company with duties that include maintaining the highest standards of quality at the groups production departments in Kildare, Derry, Inishowen and other offices.

On April 4, Mr Scales was told at a meeting that his position no longer existed in the company, and that his position was being made redundant.

Counsel said Mr Scales was told that there was another suitable position within the company which had a different package and remuneration.

Counsel said that Mr Scales was also told that the new position being offered to him was no reflection on his role or performance in the company, and there had been no previous complaints about his work.

Mr Scales refused to take the new role, but was left under the impression he could mull over and consider his position.

Counsel said that in the past five or six weeks Mr Scales role included duties such as debt collection and newspaper delivery, which he said were not part of his job.

Mr Scales, the court also heard, was told that he was not paid a bonus which he says was part of his contract.

Mr Scales said that he then went on sick leave due to a kidney complaint, but when he returned on April 15 last he was asked if he was working out his notice.

Counsel said that he had received no notification from the company in writing.

By the close of business that day, he was furnished with a letter that purported on one hand to terminate his employment, but also allows a right to appeal.

In addition, counsel also stated that River Newspaper Holdings had advertised positions in the company which that Mr Scales was more than capable of filling.

Counsel said that his client had concerns of his reputation as the media business in Ireland in very small. The matter had caused considerable embarrassment to him.

The court heard that Mr Scales had been working for a major worldwide advertising agency in Saudi Arabia, but had decided to move to Ireland to take up the job, as his wife is Irish born before taking up the job with the company.