Dispute between directors of Irish showjumping association is settled

Ann O'Loughlin

A High Court dispute between the directors of the Showjumping Association of Ireland has been settled.

Last August, the court granted an injunction restraining the association from voting on a resolution proposing to remove its chairman, Des McFadden, and three other directors from the board.

The injunction was granted to McFadden, Neal Doherty, Derek Reid and Aldyth Roulston on the eve of the meeting at which a vote was to be taken.

The court heard a disciplinary process that might lead to the termination of those directorships had been commenced by the association and, it was claimed, that it was most likely supported by eight named directors.

Those eight were: Marguerite Ryan, Taylor Vard, Melvyn Kennedy, Tony Hurley, Aideen Kirby, Thomas Ryan, Tommy Gibbons, and Kenneth Feeney.

The resolution to have been voted on had called for a decision on whether the four directors should be removed from the board and its standing committees on the basis that they had failed to properly inform the board on the content and extent of certain litigation involving the association’s Ulster Region.

On Thursday, Jarlath Ryan, for the four plaintiffs, told Judge Brian Cregan that the matter went to mediation last Friday and as a component of the settlement a statement was being read to the court.

It said the parties to the proceedings had reached an agreement and on consent, they can be struck out with no order as to costs.

“All the parties are ready to continue working in the best interests of the members of Showjumping Ireland Ltd and to facilitate and foster the sport in all the regions of Ireland”, it said.

The judge struck out the proceedings with no order as to costs.