THE company which runs the Festival of Kerry was restrained by a temporary High Court order from acting on any purported dismissal of its chief executive.
Mr Liam J. Twomey, of Moorefield, Racecourse Lawn, Tralee, was yesterday granted an interim injunction, which continues until next Tuesday, by Mr Justice O'Sullivan.
In an affidavit, Mr Twomey said that last Tuesday the High Court gave him permission to serve short notice on the company of legal proceedings fixed for next Tuesday. The notice was served on the festival company last Tuesday, on the same day as the company had indicated it was to hold a disciplinary hearing.
Mr Twomey said the company's solicitor informed his solicitor that the proposed hearing would not he going ahead but that there would be a hoard meeting.
On Wednesday, his solicitor received a letter stating that the disciplinary hearing would be held that evening at 8.
He and his solicitor attended the festival offices. His solicitor told the meeting of the High Court hearing the following Tuesday, and said that any attempt to hold the disciplinary hearing would be an attempt to frustrate the court. They then left the meeting.
Mr Twomey said he had been informed that the meeting decided to terminate his employment and to convene a general meeting of members yesterday to inform them of the decision.
No specific charges or complaints were made to him except for a suggestion in a letter from the festival company president indicating a belief that his (Mr Twomey's) actions at a meeting on April 16th last constituted a serious and fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the company and himself.
The interim injunction granted by Mr Justice O'Sullivan also rest rains the company from announcing, disclosing, publicising or otherwise revealing any purported dismissal of Mr Twomey.