Murray no longer employs Horgan

THE dispute at public relations firm Murray Consultants has taken an unexpected turn with news that one of the directors has left the firm.

Mr Joe Murray, chairman of Murray, has said its director of finance and personnel, Mr Terence Horgan - who has taken a legal action against the other directors - is no longer working there. Mr Horgan "is no longer an employee of the company" Mr Murray said, refusing to make any further comment on the matter.

Mr Horgan remains as a director of Murray, which is one of the Republic's leading public relations firms, and retains a 28.5 per cent shareholding. He was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The directors are due to return to the High Court on Monday in a dispute over the value of Mr Horgan's shares.

Mr Horgan is also objecting to proposed changes in the day to day running of the company's business.

Mr Horgan's action is against Mr Murray and another director, Mr Jim Milton, and Murray Consultants.

It is understood the latest turn of events follows differences between Mr Horgan and a sub committee of the board of directors set up to establish the current position of the company and to make recommendations on how it should develop.

Mr Horgan, who founded the firm more than 20 years ago with Mr Murray and Mr Milton, claims that a reorganisation of the business, agreed by the other four directors, dilutes a significant number of his responsibilities.

The differences between Mr Horgan and the other directors have surfaced over the past year as a result of the proposed restructuring.

The other directors each lead separate executive teams which independently handle accounts for its clients. Those teams are supported by Mr Horgan's finance and personnel unit. Under the proposals backed by the other directors, each of their teams would assume greater responsibility for their own costs and budgets.

Mr Horgan has previously stated that, as a result of the conflict, he had entered into negotiations with the other directors to buy out his shareholding. In a statement issued last week, he said he had reached agreement in principle with Mr Murray and Mr Milton on two previous occasions on the disposal of his shares in the company. However, the deals did not go ahead.

Mr Murray took issue with Mr Horgan's statement.

Prior to the court hearing, Mr Murray has said efforts had been made to resolve the dispute in relation to the price of Mr Horgan's shares and his future role in the company but were unsuccessful.

Mr Murray and Mr Milton are understood to have agreed to go to independent arbitration to establish the value of Mr Horgan's shareholding.

Mr Horgan and Mr Milton own 28.5 per cent of Murray Consultants each. Mr Murray is the largest share holder with 38 per cent. Another director Mr Dermot Breen, owns 5 per cent.