TV3 has settled its legal dispute with senior anchorwoman Claire Byrne over her plans to move to national radio station Newstalk.
The High Court was told yesterday the case had been resolved and an injunction, which had restrained her from working on any other TV or radio station until February 2007, could be lifted.
A second injunction granted to TV3 by the court earlier this month remains in place. It prevents Ms Byrne from performing broadcasting duties with any organisation other than TV3 until the end of November, by which time she will have worked out her notice with the TV station.
The proceedings began earlier this month when TV3 sought to restrain Ms Byrne from performing, pending the outcome of proceedings over the extent of her contractual obligations or without the prior consent of TV3, any broadcasting or other duties on behalf of Newstalk 106.
TV3 also sought to restrain her from working on any other TV or radio station for three months after her notice at the station has expired. This condition, TV3 contended, was part of a covenant in her contract of employment.
Mr Justice Thomas Smyth was told yesterday the parties had resolved their differences and TV3 had agreed not to enforce the restrictive covenant. Michael Howard SC, for TV3, said the case could be struck out.
Striking out the action, Mr Justice Thomas Smyth remarked that "a bit of commercial sense" had been applied in the matter.
Outside court afterwards, Ms Byrne said she was relieved at the settlement and was looking forward to her new career on radio.