DAA pledges to halt investigation into suspended CEO's alleged behaviour pending hearing

High Court Reporter

Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) plc will pause an investigation into its chief executive, Kenny Jacobs, pending a High Court challenge to his suspension following allegations of discriminatory behaviour.

Mr Jacobs (52) was suspended on December 23rd following a disagreement with the DAA board, led by chairman Basil Geoghegan, over complaints alleging "sexist, misogynistic, racist and ageist behaviour" by Mr Jacobs.

Mr Jacobs has described the allegations as "baseless" and said he was left feeling "ambushed" and "humiliated" after being told to leave work and not to communicate with staff.

State-owned DAA plc owns and operates Dublin Airport and Cork Airport.

It is resisting a legal action taken by Mr Jacobs, who is almost halfway into a seven-year contract at DAA, against his suspension and the investigation, which is due to be carried out by barrister Kelley Smith SC.

The dispute between the board and Mr Jacobs came in the wake of two protected disclosures about Mr Jacobs, which were not upheld after an investigation carried out by another senior counsel.

Mr Jacobs launched a High Court action last week against the company and is seeking his return to work. He also wants a DAA investigation into allegations against him to be halted and a declaration that the board pre-judged his temporary removal.

In legal papers, Mr Jacobs claims allegations against him of “sexist, misogynistic, racist, homophobic and ageist behaviour” in remarks to or about employees are "baseless".

At the High Court today, Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger said the court is willing to grant the case an “urgent hearing date”.

The case is listed again, for mention, on January 23rd with a view to fixing the hearing date.

Padraic Lyons SC, for Mr Jacobs, said both sides have agreed that the DAA will file an affidavit responding to his client by close of business on Friday of this week.

Mr Jacobs claims he had been physically sick at a petrol station after being told by Mr Geoghegan to leave DAA offices and that the stress caused to him and his family was "immense".

He is seeking to overturn his suspension and resume his job, claiming the December 23rd meeting with the board led by Mr Geoghegan left him "shell-shocked".

Mr Jacobs claims he was told to leave the DAA's premises and not to communicate in any way with staff, leaving him feeling "ambushed" and "humiliated".