The High Court has heard that the Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival CLG is due to enter liquidation next week.
A meeting of creditors has been scheduled for next Wednesday, and a dispute involving disciplinary actions against the company’s only full-time employee will now fall under the responsibility of the liquidator, Eoin Clifford SC, representing the company, reports Breaking News.
Last June, Kery Mullaly, a business developer employed to secure sponsorship for the annual Pride festival, obtained an injunction overturning his suspension over alleged misconduct, pending a full hearing of his case.
When the case last appeared before the court in October, Mr Justice Brian Cregan remarked that it was “crying out for mediation,” reports Breaking News.
However, following Mr Clifford’s latest statement, the judge on Thursday adjourned the proceedings for a further two weeks.
Cliona Kimber SC, acting for Mr Mullaly, told the court that an order for costs would still be necessary. The judge said counsel would have to make that request directly to the liquidator, reports Breaking News.
Mr Mullaly, of Market Street, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, claims he was suspended on 13 September 2024 without advance notice of the eight misconduct allegations he strongly denies.
The accusations include attending the Electric Picnic festival while on certified sick leave, showing “no regard” for the chairperson and board members, and behaving aggressively towards Irish Water while seeking sponsorship, reports Breaking News.
It was further alleged that unnamed sponsors complained about his conduct to unidentified board members and subsequently withdrew their sponsorships.
The board later directed the investigator to focus on just three of the allegations — including his Electric Picnic attendance and issues surrounding his employment contract, reports Breaking News.
It was claimed that Mr Mullaly drafted his own contract, which provided €2,000 per month for festival preparation work and €100 per hour for sponsorship and fundraising activities. He maintains the contract was reviewed and approved by the board’s then treasurer.
In an affidavit, Mr Mullaly said he began working with the festival in 2011 as a volunteer before becoming an independent contractor and, in 2021, a full employee of the organisation, reports Breaking News.
He described the allegations as being “contrived to cause him maximum stress and anxiety,” which he said they had successfully done.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
