THE EMPLOYMENT Appeals Tribunal is to decide today whether to issue a subpoena compelling former Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton to appear before it.
The tribunal is hearing the case of a former manager of one of the building society’s Monaghan branches who was dismissed from his position in 2009.
Brendan Beggan had outstanding loans and mortgages with Irish Nationwide on his home and a number of other properties in the Monaghan area.
He has claimed that Irish Nationwide unfairly dismissed him because he sold one of the properties for €202,000 without telling the society.
Irish Nationwide says the dismissal was not unfair given Mr Beggan’s failure to repay the mortgage on a property at Killylean, Co Monaghan, and that Mr Beggan acknowledged his actions in the matter amounted to gross misconduct.
Mr Beggan’s barrister, Mary Paula McGuinness, disputed the society’s version of events.
Ms McGuinness said when her client realised the proceeds from the sale of Killylean had run out and that he could not pay the mortgage, he had alerted Mr Fingleton.
Ms McGuinness said it was suggested that he sell a further property on which he had a mortgage, which would allow him to clear both mortgages.
Mr Fingleton said he should keep paying the mortgage in the meantime and “it would get sorted”, she said.
Mr Beggan is expected to give evidence today.