Former Port of Cork CEO launches High Court proceedings against company

Eoin McGettigan stepped down from his role as CEO of the semi-state port company in May

Wed, 28 Aug, 2024 - 14:27

Eoin English

The Port of Cork Company says it cannot comment on reports that its former chief executive has launched High Court legal proceedings against it.

Eoin McGettigan, who stepped down from the role as CEO of the semi-state port company in May, lodged High Court proceedings against the semi-state company this week. The nature of the dispute which has triggered the proceedings has not been revealed publicly yet but a plenary summons was issued on Monday.

Courts Service records list the serving of the plenary summons only. No filings have been lodged with the High Court office, and no initial court date has been scheduled as yet. Mr McGettigan’s legal representatives, Cork law firm Fitzgerald Legal and Advisory, has been contacted for comment.

The Port of Cork Company declined to comment on the nature of the proceedings on Wednesday. “The Port of Cork Company cannot comment on any legal representations or potential litigation. However, we can affirm our commitment to transparency and accountability, as a world-class commercial port that connects Cork to global markets,” it said in a statement.

The legal proceedings, first reported by The Currency, come just months after Mr McGettigan stepped down from the role as CEO. Mr McGettigan, who was appointed to the role in 2020 for a five-year term, announced last February his intention to step down. He left the job in May.

During his time there, the port celebrated many significant milestones, including the opening of a €94m new terminal in Ringaskiddy, the moving of 70% of the port’s activities from Cork City to the deeper waters of the lower harbour, as well as the launch of the Port Masterplan 2050 which set out its ambitions for the future.

In the press release announcing his intention to step down, Mr McGettigan said it was not a decision he had taken lightly “as it has been an honour to lead the Port of Cork through such a transformative period for the company”.

“I am immensely proud of the talented and committed team I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside and of everything we have achieved together,” he said at the time.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Port of Cork and working with the excellent team here but I feel the time is right for me to focus on further professional goals I hope to achieve. I remain committed to supporting my team, the Board and ensuring a smooth leadership transition.”

The chair of the port’s board, Michael Walsh, thanked Mr McGettigan for his “great leadership” during a time of immense change for the organisation and wished him well.

Mr McGettigan, a well-respected business executive, has over 30 years senior executive experience in retail, wholesale, and property businesses. He has held senior board positions in Musgrave PLC as chief executive of Supervalu Centra, as director of Dunnes Stores and as director of Reox Holdings PLC.

The 64-year-old Kerry-born businessman has also worked in property. The port company was his first semi-state role. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is currently chair of United Hardware and cosmetics wholesaler National Beauty Distribution.

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