The High Court has granted the chief executive of Wexford Festival Opera an injunction preventing his employers from dismissing him from his post.
Michael Hunt, Esker, Athenry, Co Galway, yesterday secured a temporary injunction that restrains Wexford Festival Trust from removing him from the position of chief executive of the renowned opera festival.
The order was granted in the High Court on an ex-parte (one side only) basis by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, who made the matter returnable for next week.
Counsel for Mr Hunt, Marguerite Bolger, said that her client was informed that he was to finish up next Friday, June 29th next.
He had concerns about what effect his departure would have on his reputation nationally and internationally and on his future ability to work in the area that Mr Hunt is trained in.
The court heard that Mr Hunt was appointed as chief executive of the body that organises Wexford Festival Opera in June 2006, and took up the post some weeks later. He said that the contract he got was for seven years, with a review after three years.
In an affidavit to the court, Mr Hunt said that he took up his current role last summer, after spending a number of years working in a theatre in Waterford.
Initially things went well. Mr Hunt said he had a good relationship with the festival's artistic director, David Agler, and that he helped to repair the differences between the festival and the Arts Council, which he said resulted in an increase in funding and an additional €850,000 capital funding for the festival.
Despite having to commute to Galway, he said he put in very long hours and was absolutely committed to his job. Mr Hunt said that in February he agreed to a number of review meetings with his employers, to which he agreed to go.
Mr Hunt said that he felt that his employers tried to micromanage things rather than be involved in macro-management.
Mr Hunt also claimed that things, including the fact that he was commuting on weekends to Co Galway where his family resided and that he never wore ties, became an issue.
He said that it was never part of his contract that his wife and young child would move to Wexford.
Last April Mr Hunt said he was shocked when he was told by the chairman of the festival, Paul Hennessy, that he did not think that Mr Hunt and the festival were going to have "a long-term relationship."
Mr Hunt said that he was shocked at this, but thought that he was guaranteed at least three years employment on his contract.
However, following correspondence with his employers, Mr Hunt said he was told that there was a probationary period, which he was informed had come to an end. Mr Hunt said he was told that his departure would be kept in confidence.
Mr Hunt said that there was never mention of a probationary period. He said that he would have never agreed to take up the position in Wexford if a six-month probationary period was included as part of the terms of employment.
Mr Hunt claimed his contract was for seven years, which could be reviewed after three years.
Mr Hunt said he looked for clarification about his position and obtained legal advice. His lawyers sent letters, but he said that he felt that he was "left in the dark" on the issue.
Earlier this month an article appeared in The Irish Times saying he would be leaving and he said he was eventually informed in a letter from the board that he was to finish up next Friday.