A HAULAGE contractor and horse producer, Mr Oliver Glancy, was granted leave in High Court yesterday to challenge a decision of the Show Jumping Association of Ireland to penalise him arising from claims of alleged verbal abuse and threats of assault with a whip.
Mr Justice Kelly granted Mr Glancy leave to seek judicial review. Mr Glancy is seeking an order quashing the association's decision.
Mr Adrian Hardiman SC reads an affidavit by Mr Glancy, of Clonterm, Longford, who said a disciplinary tribunal of the association arranged for a hearing on August 25th last year on foot of complaints by Mr Terry White.
The complaints were that Mr Glancy verbally abused and threatened to assault Mr White with a whip on May 15th, 1995 at Auburn Horse Show.
On the morning of the hearing, he indicated he would be unable to attend. He asked Mr Tony Kelly to apologise on his behalf and he (Mr Glancy) faxed an apology to the association.
The tribunal found the case proven and the penalties were a severe reprimand, a £50 fine and publication of the findings.
At an appeal hearing, Mr Glancy said he was informed Mr White would not attend until later. He was taken aback as he had expected to be able to hear Mr White's evidence and to question him. He believed Mr White was questioned separately by the tribunal after he (Mr Glancy) had departed. The Appeal Board upheld the original decision.