A Co Kildare racehorse trainer denied allegations of drug use among employees of his stables in 1999 at a hearing of the Employment Appeals Tribunal yesterday
Mr Kevin Prendergast, of Rossmore Lodge, Friarstown, the Curragh, the defendant in a constructive dismissal case, was responding to allegations from a witness at a previous sitting of the tribunal that employees had smoked marijuana and drank while working at the stables.
Mr Michael Flynn, a former employee of Mr Prendergast who became head lad in 1999, told the tribunal that when he arrived to take up his new position the stables were "full of drug addicts and junkies".
He said it was "the worst outfit" he had ever seen and Mr Prendergast had been afraid for his life.
Mr Prendergast said there was "no way" the allegations were true, and his solicitor, Mr Michael O'Neill, said the claims were designed to vilify his client.
Mr Joseph Mulholland, of Woodside Park, Kildare, who is taking the case of constructive dismissal against Mr Prendergast, said under questioning from Mr O'Neill he had been aware at the time of "two or three" who were taking drugs and drinking in the yard.
Mr Mulholland is taking a case of constructive dismissal against his former employer.
He is claiming that Mr Prendergast's behaviour after Mr Mulholland refused to show up for work during July 1999 made his position untenable.
He said that the morning after he had failed to turn up for work Mr Prendergast had told him to "f**k off" and then had refused to speak to him for the rest of the week.
Although Mr Prendergast admitted swearing at Mr Mulholland, he told the tribunal he had been left short because Mr Mulholland had not turned up for work the previous day or rung anybody to say he would not be coming in.
He added that as far as he was concerned Mr Mulholland was still his travelling head lad and had left of his own accord.
The tribunal is expected to deliver its written judgment in the next six weeks.