Planning officer has resolved his dispute with council, court told

A senior executive planning officer with Donegal County Council has resolved his legal dispute with the council, the High Court was told yesterday. The case was resolved on the basis of terms agreed between the sides, which were received by the court but not read out.

Mr Justice Kelly was told the council "does not and never has made any allegations of corruption or criminal wrongdoing" against Mr Gerard Convie and that Mr Convie acknowledged an "error of judgment" in relation to the planning aspects of certain lands at Magheroarty, Co Donegal.

The judge also heard that Mr Convie, of Glen Road, Curlyhill, Strabane, Co Tyrone, has withdrawn his judicial-review proceedings against the council and is to resign his position with the council.

Mr Convie had taken judicial review proceedings challenging the Minister for the Environment's purported consent of August 14th, 2000 to Mr Convie's removal from his post.

He also secured an order restraining the council from removing him from his position.

The substantive case was listed for hearing in the High Court yesterday and was due to last four days.

However, after talks between the sides yesterday, Mr Hugh Mohan SC, with Mr Conleth Bradley, for Mr Convie, told Mr Justice Kelly it was a difficult case but had been resolved on written terms which the parties wished the court to receive and file.

The parties had also agreed that a statement be read to the court.

That statement said: "Donegal County Council and Mr Gerard Convie have resolved their dispute relating to his employment as Senior Executive (Planning). The council confirms that it does not and never has made any allegations of corruption or criminal wrongdoing on his part. Mr Convie for his part acknowledges an error of judgment solely in relation to the planning aspects of certain lands at Magheroarty, Co Donegal.

"The dispute has been resolved on terms agreed between Mr Convie and the council. The judicial review proceedings are withdrawn by Mr Convie and he is resigning his position as Senior Executive (Planning)."

Mr Maurice Collins, for the Minister and State, said Mr Convie was withdrawing all allegations made against the Minister who, counsel said, had no direct involvement in the matters.

Mr Justice Kelly said he was glad the parties had reached a resolution of a difficult case.