The former secretary to successive bishops in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has lost her High Court challenge to a decision to make her redundant.
In a reserved judgment yesterday, Miss Justice Carroll found that Ms Mary Sheehy (52), of Green Road, Carlow, could be dismissed on getting reasonable notice.
Eight weeks' notice was given to Ms Sheehy, and she had not said that was unreasonable.
In the absence of a special condition in a contract of employment entitling Ms Sheehy to "a job for life until she was 65", she could be dismissed on getting reasonable notice, the judge added. There had been no special condition in her contract.
After the decision, Mr Tom Mallon, for the present bishop, Dr James Moriarty, said that in the normal course he would have been asking for the court to make the order dismissing her claim.
However, counsel added, he would be happy to have the matter put back for a short period. The bishop would be more than happy that the matter might be resolved at this late stage.
Ms Sheehy's counsel, Mr Mark Connaughton SC, said he wanted an opportunity to consider the judgment and asked that no order be made by the court at this juncture.
Miss Justice Carroll adjourned the proceedings to February 13th.
Bishop Moriarty was joined in the proceedings following the resignation due to ill-health of the former bishop, Dr Laurence Ryan.
Outlining the background to the case, Miss Justice Carroll said a severance package was rejected by Ms Sheehy in April, 2002.
Ms Sheehy had claimed she was told by the late Bishop Patrick Lennon that she would be the holder of a permanent pensionable job and had said she would not have accepted the offer of employment in 1974 from Bishop Lennon without that assurance.
She had then held a permanent position with the Carlow VEC.
She had also understood that, in accepting the employment, she was to remain in office until aged 65, provided she discharged her duties in a satisfactory manner and did not misconduct herself.