THE FORMER musical director of Christ Church Cathedral has claimed she was unfairly treated, bullied and harassed by the dean of the cathedral, Rev Dermot Dunne, an Employment Appeals Tribunal has heard.
Judy Martin got the position of musical director at Christ Church Cathedral in 2003 but claims her role later became “dismantled”. Rev Dunne denies her claims.
The position of both sides was outlined at the tribunal in Dublin yesterday by their legal representatives. No evidence from either side was heard. Peter Shanley, for Ms Martin, told the tribunal she informed her employers she had decided to resign from the post in February 2011.
Ms Martin worked under two different deans at Christ Church prior to May 2008, when Rev Dunne was appointed as the new dean, he said. Between May and December of 2008, relations between them broke down. She claims, he said, that Rev Dunne bullied her. Her main complaint was that her job was being dismantled and her role as director of music was being attacked. She believed the main functions of the position had been taken away.
Mr Shanley said his client was highly qualified for the role and had dedicated her life to music. She had studied in Cambridge and Oxford and worked in the UK for several years. She was the first female in Ireland or the UK to get such a post, he said.
Michael MacNamee, for Rev Dunne, said there was a reorganisation of resources in Christ- Church in late 2008 and early 2009. There was a rationalisation process which was difficult for all concerned and budgets were affected. Rev Dunne claims issues arose because of a resistance to change by Ms Martin. This change included cuts to the choir and to music department resources.
Ms Martin, he claimed, told the choir of the proposed changes and tried to reverse the proposals.
Mr MacNamee said Rev Dunne believed there was no need for Ms Martin to resign. “It was unwarranted” and “precipitous”, he said. The case was adjourned to November.