IMO director of communications settles dismissal case

Irish Medical Organisation director of communications Maria Murphy has resolved her High Court proceedings brought over her purported dismissal.

Following the settlement, the IMO confirmed Ms Murphy has left the organisation and is no longer its employee.

Ms Murphy, who worked with the IMO for 26 years, initiated proceedings against her employer last month after she was told she was being dismissed for alleged breach of contract. She denied that claim.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan was told on Thursday by Peter Ward SC for the IMO the proceedings had been resolved after the parties had reached an agreement. The proceedings could be struck out and the IMO wished "to thank Ms Murphy for her service", counsel said.

No details of the settlement were revealed in court. However, the IMO later told members it paid Ms Murphy €135,000 in an ex gratia termination package. It said it had also paid €115,000 to Ms Murphy’s solicitors as a contribution towards her legal costs. It said the payments had been made strictly without admission of liability.

The IMO said its executive board was satisfied that the settlement was in the best interests of the organisation and its members.

It said the settlement brought finality to a number of disputes between Ms Murphy and the IMO.

In her action, Ms Murphy, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock Co Dublin, had sought various orders including an injunction preventing her purported dismissal and an order reinstating her.

The court was previously told by Mark Connaughton SC, for Ms Murphy, when she returned to work on January 9th after being out on sick leave, she was informed by the IMO she was not entitled to return to her employment.

Ms Murphy disputed the IMO’s position and was then informed she was being summarily dismissed, after years of substantial service, for allegedly being in breach of contract, counsel said. She rejected the purported dismissal and argued it was effected without fair procedures.

Lawyers for the IMO had in correspondence with Ms Murphy’s solicitors said they would oppose any application for an injunction.