Senior employee at 'Rosary Priest' centre secures injunction

A senior employee at a spiritual centre dedicated to the late Fr Patrick Peyton has obtained a temporary High Court injunction preventing his employer from appointing a replacement to assume his duties. Padraic Walsh, who claims to be National Director of the Father Patrick Peyton CFC Memorial Company Ltd facility at Attymass outside Ballina in County Mayo, argues that the proposed appointment breaches his contract and damages his reputation. Mr Justice David Nolan granted the interim injunction on an ex-parte basis on Tuesday, finding that Mr Walsh had raised a fair issue for trial and that damages would not adequately compensate him. The judge noted the temporary order would not impede the centre's operations. Mr Walsh has worked at the facility since 2016, with his position renewed in 2021. He claims that following his vindication from bullying allegations in 2022, his relationship with the employer deteriorated. In September, he was informed of plans to appoint an Executive Director to whom he would report directly. The matter returns to court next week.