Courts / Ireland / Report

ISPCA chair claims suspension is unlawful

Summary

Ms Fiona Squibb, chairperson of the Irish Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), claimed before the High Court that her suspension from the board was unlawful, unfair and fundamentally flawed. She denies any wrongdoing and says she has been an ISPCA volunteer for 20 years and a director since 2017, having been elected chair after the previous holder retired. Ms Squibb alleges that following her appointment, CEO Andrew Kelly went on sick leave for medical stress and later, when he returned, demanded that she and another director resign or he would raise a grievance with the charity regulator. She says Kelly expressed dissatisfaction with her election and had long sought her removal. After his return, Kelly allegedly filed a grievance claiming she had undermined his position. Ms Squibb and another director were suspended pending the grievance procedure, which she says lacks transparency and does not observe natural justice.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: ISPCA chair claims suspension is unlawful. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2021-03-10 Publication

Why: However, the judge said she was making no order in the case at this stage, given the costs involved with High Court litigation and because Ms Squibb is a volunteer who does not receive any payment for what she does for the ISPCA. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report