The Aga Khan's Luxembourg-based Studs Societe Civile, which operates the religious leader's four stud farms in Ireland, was yesterday accused by a High Court judge of breaching court orders and consistently obstructing and thwarting the timely preparation for trial of a case involving the alleged dismissal of a secretary at the Aga Khan's Irish headquarters in Co Kildare.
Mr Justice Budd expressed "strong disapproval " of the conduct of the Aga Khan's society.
He said he was satisfied the Aga Khan's personnel manager and head of security in Ireland, Mr Frank Faughnan, had committed contempt of court. However, the judge said the rebuke he was delivering should suffice.
The judge was dealing with an application by Ms Mary Chalton (54), Canalway, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, for declarations and orders relating to her action concerning her employment. She was employed by the society for 27 years and is challenging her suspension as secretary to the manager of the Kildare stud farm. The action was scheduled for trial last February. Ms Charlton previously got an order restraining the society from holding a disciplinary hearing conducted by Mr Faughnan.
The judge awarded costs of the applications to Ms Charlton. A date for the hearing of the main action between Ms Charlton and the Societe Civile will be set later.