DAA suspends chief executive Kenny Jacobs pending new investigation

DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs has been suspended on full pay, setting in motion a new investigation into his conduct after months of turmoil in the State airports group.

The move late on Tuesday raises the possibility of Mr Jacobs taking an action in the High Court in a bid to block his suspension from the operator of Dublin and Cork airports.

The suspension follows a DAA board decision to endorse the recommendation of a board subgroup chaired by a DAA worker-director, Mark James Ryan.

Mr Ryan, a Siptu member, is also chairman of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions national worker director group.

Neither DAA chairman Basil Geoghegan nor senior independent director Risteard Sheridan was a member of Mr Ryan’s subgroup.

Mr Geoghegan, a businessman, was heavily involved in managing the rift between the board and Mr Jacobs.

Mr Sheridan led an earlier subgroup that examined the original complaints against Mr Jacobs and appointed Mr Connaughton.