An independent investigation by a lawyer into complaints by nine staff members against two senior executives of Gurranebraher Credit Union found both executives guilty of unprofessional conduct in relation to some of the complaints, the High Court was told yesterday.
One complaint which was upheld concerned the use of a security camera to allegedly check on staff at work.
Mr Alec Good, Hillcourt, Donnybrook, Douglas, Cork, former branch manager of the credit union, and his former deputy Ms Patricia O'Neill, Presentation Road, Gurranebraher, are seeking an injunction restraining Gurranebraher Credit Union from filling their posts following their dismissal on December 17th last. Mr Con O'Leary, chairman of the Gurranebraher Credit Union, is also named as a defendant in the case.
Yesterday, Dr John O'Mahony counsel for Mr Good, outlined the findings of a report by an investigator, a barrister Ms Ann O'Brien, who had interviewed the complainants in Jury's Hotel, Cork during July 2002.
Mr Good and Ms O'Neill had told Ms O'Brien in the investigation that they were shocked at the complaints of the staff members. They felt all the complaints were untrue and believed all the staff got on very well together at many social outings which everyone enjoyed.
Having conducted her investigation, Ms O'Brien said she believed the staff found the atmosphere at work within the credit union to be intimidating.
She accepted the complaints made by staff in relation to a camera in the ceiling. She believed it was not just used for security purposes but was being used to check on staff as alleged. Mr Good's response to this complaint did not convince her that the camera was only used for security purposes.
Ms O'Brien found the prohibition on accepting or making personal phone calls to be intimidating and believed complaints by staff that personal matters discussed with the two plaintiffs became public. She also accepted that some were unable to get sufficient training in all the procedures at the credit union while others were able to get this training.
Ms O'Brien was not convinced by Ms O'Neill's response to complaints about reprimanding staff in public. Ms O'Neill had denied that ever happened. She accepted Ms O'Neill's response to complaints about hatches and also found that there was no unprofessional conduct on the part of the two plaintiffs in relation to other complaints against them.
Dr O'Mahony argued Mr Good's position was terminated in a situation where he had no appeal. This contravened his legal rights. It was inconceivable that his position could be terminated for the routine type of complaints made against him.
The hearing continues today.
