A WOMAN who claims she was bullied and sexually assaulted by the former chief executive of the Irish National Stud Company after ending an affair with him two years ago has asked the High Court for an order restraining the company placing her on medical leave.
Julie Lynch (31) alleges that John Clarke, who retired in January, made her life “hell”, his behaviour had a terrible effect on her and at one stage she attempted suicide by overdosing on pills.
Ms Lynch was placed on medical leave last January by the National Stud but she claims she is fit for work and has medical certificates to that effect.
Ms Lynch also claims she told various people, including chairwoman Chryss O’Reilly, that she was being bullied and victimised. She claims the alleged victimisation has continued and she has also had to cope with her sanity being questioned.
Ms Lynch, stallions nominations manager with the National Stud, Tully, Co Kildare, has applied to Ms Justice Mary Laffoy for an injunction restraining the stud putting her on medical leave pending a full hearing of her action against it. She also wants orders restraining the defendants from compelling her to vacate the house where she lives, provided as part of her job.
The hearing opened yesterday and resumes on Tuesday.
In denying Ms Lynch’s claims, the National Stud contends she was put on sick leave for medical reasons and can return to work when medically certified to do so.
Various claims by Ms Lynch concerning discussions with Ms O’Reilly and others about her situation, including that the stud did nothing about her allegations, are denied.
The National Stud says the decision to place Ms Lynch on medical leave followed its receipt of a report by a consultant psychiatrist, by whom Ms Lynch had consented to be examined, having previously rejected other nominated doctors.
The National Stud also says the allegations of sexual assault were not previously put to them or Mr Clarke. It added that Mr Clarke was not a party to the proceedings and therefore not in a position to respond to the allegations.
Ms Lynch’s claims are denied. The stud also claims Ms Lynch had sent inappropriate communications to staff and customers.
Opening the application, Henry Murphy SC, for Ms Lynch, said she was informed on January 19th that she was being placed on sick leave following the recommendation of Dr Abbie Lane who assessed Ms Lynch at the stud’s request.
Dr Lane’s finding that Ms Lynch was not fit for work conflicted with findings from her GP and counsellor, he added.
The court heard Ms Lynch joined the National Stud in 2006. She was promoted to stallion nominations manager. Mr Murphy said Ms Lynch began an affair with Mr Clarke in 2006 but in April 2008 decided to end the relationship.
After this, Mr Clarke engaged in intimidation, bullying and harassment against Ms Lynch, Mr Murphy said. She made complaints to stud management which arranged for an investigation by former Labour Court chairman Finbarr Flood. The report had found Ms Lynch was subjected to “repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct and indirect, that would be regarded as undermining her”.