Hearing date set in Kenny Jacobs’ High Court action against DAA

The High Court is set to hear a lawsuit brought by DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs early next month seeking to lift his suspension by the State airport operator.

Mr Jacobs initiated the action against DAA after he was suspended by the company in mid-December, pending a new investigation into 20 allegations made against him.

The chief executive was previously the subject of two formal complaints, which were made last year, but such complaints were not upheld after an investigation by Mark Connaughton SC.

In the proceedings now before Mr Justice Brian Cregan, Mr Jacobs is seeking his return to work and declarations that the DAA board has prejudged his removal from office.

Lawyers for DAA – which operates both Dublin and Cork airports – subsequently committed to the court that it would pause the new investigation, pending the hearing of his lawsuit.

According to Mr Jacobs’ written evidence to the court, the Connaughton investigation examined allegations against him of “sexist, misogynistic, racist, homophobic and ageist behaviour” in comments to or about employees and found them to be baseless.

The chief executive claimed in his evidence that the board decision last month to start the new investigation was “tainted by reasonable objective bias” and said the outcome has been “predetermined”.

On Friday, Padraic Lyons SC, appearing for Mr Jacobs, told Mr Justice Cregan that there was agreement between the parties to seek February 5th and 6th as dates for Mr Jacobs’ hearing seeking interlocutory orders.

Mr Lyons also outlined to the judge a timeline for the exchange of further court documents between parties prior to those dates.

The judge set the hearing date as sought, and approved the timelines for exchange of documents.