A Dublin businessman has denied claims that he and his company have engaged in a campaign of harassment and intimidation against personnel of a UK-based marketing and business consultancy.

Spear Marketing Limited had last Friday, on an ex parte basis (one side only represented) , secured temporary injunctions against Tallaght-based ‘The Phone Shack Limited’, which provides training and technology solutions and its CEO Thomas Dalton.

The orders prevented the defendants contacting, harassing, intimidating or communicating directly with Spear’s employees and consultants and also restrained them from debiting or using Spear’s bank account details to create a debit in the defendants’ favour.

Injunction

When the matter returned before the High Court on Monday, Mr Dalton told Mr Justice Senan Allen he denied all the allegations made against him by Spear.

Representing himself, Mr Dalton said “significant misrepresentations” had been made to the court when the proceedings came before another judge, Mr Justice Tony O’Connor, last Friday.

Me Dalton said he had only spoken with two persons associated with Spear, had ceased doing so before the injunction was sought and needed a week so he can formally reply to the allegations.

He also told the court he was prepared to give undertakings in the same terms as the injunctions until the matter returns before the court and that a solicitor will come on record in the proceedings.

Mr Justice Allen, after accepting Mr Dalton’s undertakings, adjourned the proceedings for two weeks.

In its action, Spear claims that, through a Dublin-based independent marketing consultant, it was engaged in late 2020 by Mr Dalton to build a website for Phone Shack, aimed at helping the elderly with technology.

A dispute arose between the parties over the website, Spear claims.

Actions

Arising out of the dispute, it claims that Phone Shack and Mr Dalton have waged a campaign of intimidation, threats and harassment that has upset Spear’s employees and independent consultants.

Spear says it rejects claims made against it by Mr Dalton, including he was provided with a substandard website, that it has retained its data, and that Spear is operating a scam and a fraud.

Spear said it is concerned the defendants’ actions may significantly damage its reputation and was further concerned after, it claimed, Phone Shack had set up a direct debit from Spears company bank/revolut account, and that €3,100 was to be deducted from that account.

When the matter came before Mr Justice Tony O’Connor ex parte last Friday, he granted the temporary orders against the defendants.