Former Fiat managing director unlawfully removed, says judge

The former managing director of Fiat Ireland was unlawfully removed from his position because a board meeting was not held to take that decision, the High Court has ruled.

However, Ms Justice Marie Baker dismissed claims Geoffrey Smyth was bullied and harassed before his employment was terminated in June 2008.

The judge also found the company had not misrepresented to him his pension entitlements would not suffer after he agreed to transfer to work in the company’s Italian HQ in Turin in 1987.

He returned as chief executive /managing directorof Fiat Group Ireland in 2005.

The judge found he was entitled to €11,148 for accrued holiday benefits but found against him in relation to bullying and harassment claims.