A Senior executive with ACCBank, who lost his position as general manager of retail banking following a reorganisation of the bank in the wake of the failed ACC-TSB merger, yesterday in the High Court sought an injunction preventing his demotion or dismissal.

Mr Jim Skelly (51), who was stated to have had a 20-year career with ACC, said in an affidavit before Mr Justice Geoghegan that he was on a salary of £98,000 with an annual bonus of £30,000.

He is seeking an interlocutory injunction against ACC restraining it from taking any steps to effect his dismissal or demotion.

Mr Thomas Mallon, for Mr Skelly, said all his client was seeking was the right to continue doing the job he had been doing for the past decade. In one sense, attempts to dismiss him could be perceived as being due to the failure of the banks to merge. The ACC's intent was to suppress his position and make it and him redundant and surplus to requirements, counsel alleged.

Mr Ercus Stewart SC, for ACC plc, said Mr Skelly's employment had not been terminated. Because he was not dismissed, the application to the court was premature, he argued.

The hearing continues today.