Eircom’s human resources director Jim Meechan has resigned after only about six months with the company. He has been replaced on an interim basis by Marie Lee.

It is understood that Mr Meechan resigned last week and left the company yesterday. The Scot, who was previously HR director at British Energy plc, plans to return to the UK.

Mr Meechan’s was the first senior appointment by Eircom chief executive Paul Donovan after he took over the top job last year.

Mr Meechan had succeeded Australian Tony Olthof, who was appointed in 2007 by Babcock Brown Capital Ltd.