A secretary at the Aga Khan's Irish stud has applied for an order of attachment or committal against him and members of his staff.
Ms Mary Charlton (54), of Canalway, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, said the company which represents the Aga Khan's bloodstock interests in this State, Aga Khan's Stud Societe Civile, was restrained in December from holding a disciplinary inquiry involving her. She claims this order has been breached.
She has said she was secretary to a French national, a Mr Drion, who had been manager of the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud at Kilcullen until June 1998, when his employment was terminated after an investigation.
She alleged the personnel manager and former head of security, Mr Frank Faughnan, outlined serious allegations involving her, to be made at an inquiry concerning Mr Drion's management.
In the High Court, she has brought a motion for the attachment or committal of the Aga Khan; the stud; Mr Henry Carter Carnegie, an adviser to the Aga Khan; Mr Richard Coulton, a financial adviser to the Aga Khan's company; and Mr Faughnan.
Ms Charlton claims there has been a breach of the court order which restrained the Aga Khan's agents from prosecuting an inquiry against her.
In court yesterday Mr Ercus Stewart SC, for Ms Charlton, said his client claimed the Aga Khan's agents had decided to terminate her employment, and that therefore an inquiry was a sham. Ms Charlton had been suspended on full pay but in August was told she was no longer being paid.
Mr Roddy Horan, for the Aga Khan and other defendants, said his clients were happy to have matters decided by an independent arbitrator. If arbitration was to proceed, his clients would reluctantly pay Ms Charlton's salary until it concluded.
Mr Justice Budd said if a way could be found, without court intervention, to continue to pay until the trial of the action an employee of 27 years then it behoved everybody to try to reach that situation. He adjourned to allow the parties to discuss the proposal.
On return to court, Mr Stewart continued the application for attachment or committal. The hearing continues today.