Virgin Media correspondent launches High Court action over internal disciplinary process

Paul Byrne's claim came before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey in the High Court, who on an ex parte basis granted the journalist permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on Virgin Media Ireland Ltd. Photograph: Bryan O'BrienVirgin Media journalist Paul Byrne has launched High Court proceedings over internal disciplinary proceedings brought against him by his employer.

He claims his employer informed him he was being suspended for allegedly breaching the broadcaster’s news guidelines and production handbook because he failed to speak to his line manager about the matter in advance of the broadcast. He denies any wrongdoing and claims the process engaged by his employer is flawed, punitive, disproportionate and should be set aside. He also claims the process lacks credibility and is in breach of his contractual rights.

Eoin Clifford SC, for Mr Byrne, told the court the disciplinary process commenced by the employer is “irredeemably flawed” and “should be set at nought”. Counsel said his client is alleged to have broken the employer’s guidelines by not discussing the contents of the report with the news producer in advance of the broadcast. It is Mr Byrne’s case that the requirement to speak to the producer in advance is not mandatory, counsel said.During the investigation stage of the process, counsel said, his client wanted to bring a trade union representative, namely Damien Tiernan of the National Union of Journalists, with him to the investigation meeting.

Mr Byrne had been invited to a disciplinary meeting, initially due to be held in Limerick on Wednesday, counsel said. The defendants had agreed to put that meeting back by another week, counsel said.

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