Maria Murphy resolves High Court dismissal case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Maria Murphy's High Court proceedings over her purported dismissal from the Irish Medical Organisation were resolved by agreement. On 22 January 2015, Peter Ward SC, for the IMO, told Mr Justice Paul Gilligan that the proceedings had been resolved and could be struck out.

Ms Murphy, who had worked with the IMO for 26 years, brought proceedings after being told she was being dismissed for alleged breach of contract. She denied that claim. She sought orders including an injunction preventing her purported dismissal and an order reinstating her.

Mark Connaughton SC, for Ms Murphy, had previously told the court that she returned from sick leave on 9 January and was informed by the IMO that she was not entitled to return to her employment. Counsel said she disputed its position and was then informed she was being summarily dismissed for alleged breach of contract. She rejected the purported dismissal and argued that it had been effected without fair procedures. Lawyers for the IMO had said in correspondence that they would oppose any injunction application.

The IMO confirmed that Ms Murphy had left the organisation and was no longer its employee. No settlement details were revealed in court. The IMO later told members it had paid her €135,000 in an ex gratia termination package and paid her solicitors €115,000 towards her legal costs, strictly without admission of liability.