THE Royal Dublin Society (RDS) yesterday asked the High Court to grant it an order restraining one of its former members from communicating with its staff or entering society premises.
The society also claimed damages for trespass, intimidation and nuisance in its action against Mr James Yates, described as an artist, of Cill Cais, Old Bawn, Co Dublin.
Mr Peter Charleton SC, for the RDS, said his client claimed Mr Yates had intimidated and harassed one of its staff, Ms Olivia O'Reilly.
The society alleges Mr Yates wrote abusive and threatening correspondence to Ms O'Reilly and went to the RDS premises on occasions between 1991 and 1994 with the intention of intimidating her. The RDS alleges Mr Yates also made false and defamatory allegations about its commercial officer, Mr Gerard McAuliffe, and published false statements concerning the society.
The RDS states that Mr Yates, following a resolution calling for his resignation, ceased being a member in 1994 but continued to harass Ms O'Reilly.
Mr Yates, in his defence "strenuously denied" he was guilty of nuisance, intimidation and harassment of the society or its staff, and accuses Ms O'Reilly of unprofessional conduct as the RDS exhibition organiser.
He denies attempting a forced entry to her home and making false and defamatory allegations about Mr McAuliffe or the society.
He is counterclaiming for damages, alleging interference with his rights and privileges as a member of the society, and slander, libel, intimidation and harassment by the society.
The society denies Mr Yates's claims.
Mr Charleton said that during the 1990 Spring Show, at which he was an exhibitor, Mr Yates complained his stand had been robbed and vandalised. Mr McAuliffe found the complaint to be a "little bit suspicious" and said so to Mr Yates, who "took a swing" at him.
In December 1991, on Ms O'Reilly's birthday, she received flowers sent to her by Mr Yates.
Mr Charleton referred to a letter written to her by Mr Yates on December 14th, 1991, in which he said: "Do you get some thrill out of being hard and offensive? Just fancy, Olivia, some poor bugger could end up marrying the likes of you". He also enclosed a poem.
In 1992 he was refused exhibition space and had asked that Ms O'Reilly and Mr McAuliffe be suspended.
At four of five race meetings attended by Ms O'Reilly, Mr Yates would come tip and stand close to her when she was with friends and stare at her.
Mr Yates had attended the 1994 Horse Show in a T-shirt with the message on the back, "A good ride at the RDS will leave your hair on end".
The hearing continues today.