A solicitor who claimed he was unfairly dismissed from his job at Liberty Insurance because he is a son-in-law of bankrupt businessman Seán Quinn has settled his action against the company at the High Court on undisclosed terms.
John McLoughlin, who is married to Colette Quinn, alleged Liberty had “a vendetta” against the Quinn family and had made absolutely clear to him he would be dismissed following “a painful and damaging” disciplinary process if he did not accept a severance package. Ms Justice Mary Laffoy was told yesterday Mr McLoughlin’s action and related proceedings had settled.
Mr McLoughlin, Slieve View, Teemore, Co Fermanagh, initiated proceedings last December against Liberty, which bought Quinn Insurance when it was sold by the administrators in March 2010.
Mr McLoughlin was employed with Quinn Insurance as compliance manager from July 2008 and claimed, after QI transferred to Liberty, it became clear Liberty or some of its members were “determined to ensure” no members of the Quinn family would continue to work with the insurer.
Liberty denied the claims and said Mr McLoughlin’s marriage to Seán Quinn’s daughter was not considered relevant to any issues in the disciplinary process.
A member of the Quinn family remained a “valued” employee until she opted for voluntary redundancy last month, it said.
