The former human resources manager of Tara Mines Ltd told an employment appeals tribunal yesterday that he was unfairly dismissed and claimed he was told by a senior director that he had been let go because of his age and concerns over his health. Mr Colm Conachy (57), Hurdlestown, Kells, Co Meath, also told the tribunal that when he asked to see the managing director, Mr Charles Brown, a few hours after Mr Brown told him he was being made redundant, he was told it should be before 4.30 p.m. as Mr Brown had a game of golf.

Tara Mines has said Mr Conachy was made redundant and given an agreed severance package totalling £247,000 (€313,,625). A claim that he had not been given the minimum notice required was withdrawn during the tribunal. Mr Roddy Horan, counsel for Mr Conachy, said he had been appointed human resources manager in 1994 after 12 years with the company and, "it was probably one of the most demanding functions in any company in this country". He said Tara Mines had had a turbulent history and had to let people go over the years. Mr Conachy had presided over this and had never been subject to criticism.

When on May 5th, 1999, Mr Brown told him he was to be let go, he also told him not to ask why. Mr Horan said it was at a later date during two discussions with the Finnish chairman of the company that he was told it was because of his health and his age. In 1997 Mr Conachy suffered a heart condition.

He claimed he was unfairly dismissed and was told he was being replaced. He also claimed that the person who replaced him did not meet the criteria for the position, was younger and was a personal friend of Mr Brown.

"It was a contrived situation and the company felt if it threw money at him he would go away," Mr Horan alleged.

Mr Conachy said he wanted his position back and was prepared to repay the respective monies given to him by the company.

The company denied Mr Conachy was unfairly dismissed and said he was made redundant and given an agreed severance package that included an enhanced pension. The first intimation it had of his claim to the tribunal was in January this year.

Mr Ercus Stewart SC, for Tara Mines, also said there was no job available for him at the company as it was reducing its costs. He said the claim should be dismissed. He also said he would need to arrange for the president of the parent company, Outokumpu, Mr Eero Laatio, to attend the tribunal to address the matters raised.

The tribunal hearing was adjourned until September 11th, when Mr Conachy will be cross-examined by counsel for Tara Mines.