Wright family resolves case over dismissal of son from bar

A dispute between two members of the fish dynasty, the Wright family from Howth, Co Dublin, has been resolved at the Employment…

A dispute between two members of the fish dynasty, the Wright family from Howth, Co Dublin, has been resolved at the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

Mr David Wright (31) yesterday withdrew his constructive dismissal claim against his father. He had been claiming a right to 50 per cent of the Galway Hooker bar at Heuston Station - which is owned by his father - after being sacked from his job there.

Last June, the tribunal heard that Mr Wright had returned from the United States after 10 years and was appointed general manager of the bar when it opened in 1997. He told the tribunal he had problems with the manager of the bar, Ms Liz Hunter.

The tribunal heard that when Mr Wright went to discuss these problems with his father, a screaming match ensued and Mr Wright snr sacked his son and asked that he hand back his keys to the bar.

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Mr Wright told the tribunal that his parents had sided with Ms Hunter despite his belief that she was incompetent. He claimed he was entitled to 50 per cent of the business but had not demanded that it be put in writing because he was very close to his father.

Mr Wright admitted in evidence that he had a drink problem in the past and had attended counselling. He told the tribunal he had never been under the influence of alcohol "or anything else" in his business dealings. He was in control of his senses, he said. If anything, his father was delusional about Ms Hunter.

Asked in cross-examination whether he had been the prodigal son of the family, he said he was one of three prodigal sons.

The tribunal was told yesterday by counsel for Mr Wright that he had withdrawn his claim and that "accommodation had been reached".

Mr Rodney Horan, for the Wright parents, said the agreement was a "purely family resolution".

The details of any settlement were confidential.