Roscommon Herald CEO claims wrongful dismissal; company claims cost-saving

The CEO of the Roscommon Herald has brought an High Court action against Thomas Crosbie Holdings for alleged wrongful dismissal.

Brian Nerney of Carrick Road, Boyle claims he was given six hours to leave the Roscommon Herald office on July 17, after 27 years working at the newspaper his family once owned

He claims the termination was in breach of his contract and that his speedy exit will cause him grave reputational damage in Roscommon as it may suggest he committed some offence.

His lawyers want the court to reinstate him in the post until his case goes to a full trial.

Thomas Crosbie Holdings, which bought the newspaper from Brian Nerney in 2004, maintains his redundancy is solely related to significant cost savings in the group.

They say other regional titles such as The Nationalist and Evening Echo are also operating without a CEO as part of a plan to eliminate a costly layer of management.

The case continues.