Dispute between opera festival and executive settled

A dispute between the chief executive of Wexford Festival Opera and his employers has been settled at the High Court on terms that include an agreement for Michael Hunt's departure from his post.

Mr Hunt, of Esker, Athenry, Co Galway, had last month secured a temporary injunction restraining Wexford Festival Trust from removing him from the position of chief executive of the opera festival.

When the matter came before Mr Justice Roderick Murphy yesterday, he was told by Marguerite Bolger, for Mr Hunt, that the proceedings could be struck out with no further order.

Alex White, for the festival trust, said the injunction restraining Mr Hunt's removal could now be vacated and he also read a statement to the court which said that the trust "wishes to confirm the agreed departure of its chief executive Michael Hunt".

"Mr Hunt joined the organisation in July 2006 and oversaw the staging of both the 2006 and the recently completed 2007 festivals," the statement said. "Both these festivals were outstanding successes for the organisation and Michael Hunt's considerable skills contributed greatly to their planning and execution."

When seeking the injunction at an earlier hearing, Ms Bolger said Mr Hunt had been informed that he was to finish up on June 29th. Mr Hunt had concerns about the effect his departure would have on his reputation both nationally and internationally and on his future ability to work in the area that he was trained in, she said.

In an affidavit, Mr Hunt said he had taken up the post of chief executive last summer. Initially things went well, but he felt that his employers tried to "micro-manage" things, he said. Other issues also arose, including the fact he was commuting on weekends to Co Galway, where his family resided, and that he never wore ties, he said.

Following correspondence with his employers, Mr Hunt said he was told there was a probationary period which, he was informed, had come to an end. Mr Hunt said that there had been no prior mention of a probationary period. He claimed his contract was for seven years, which could be reviewed after three years.