The former director of services with the Irish Pre-School Playgroups' Association yesterday began an action for damages over an alleged wrongful termination of his employment.
Mr Edward Horgan, a former soldier, of Charnwood, Newtown, Castletroy, Co Limerick, claims his employment was terminated after an allegation that he had failed to adequately support the chairwoman, Ms Kathleen Jordan, and voluntary executive members of the IPPA. He said he felt he had been as supportive as possible. He agreed he had taken a different approach from the chairwoman and most of the interviewing panel on a health board appointment.
He denied a suggestion by Mr Sean Ryan SC, for the IPPA, that he had come into the association as "an Army commandant and sought to impose the Army way of doing things" on a small group.
In his statement, Mr Horgan said it was agreed, by a contract dated March 20th, 1995, that he would be employed by the IPPA on a three-year contract, beginning April 3rd, 1995. It was a contract term that his appointment was subject to six months' probation. He completed this on October 2nd, 1995, with no adverse comments. On March 11th, 1996, his employment was terminated.
Mr Horgan is seeking damages for loss of earnings, travelling and other expenses and alleged breach of contract.
The IPPA, of Winetavern Street, Dublin, denies any contract dated March 20th, 1995, was entered into. It states that if the association was in breach of the agreement made with Mr Horgan, which is denied, his dismissal occurred within the probation.
It also states that if the association was in breach of the alleged or any agreement, the said breach was lawful on the grounds of Mr Horgan's "fraudulent misrepresentation of facts" when he was interviewed.
The hearing resumes on Tuesday.