In the News podcast: Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly and Daire Hickey face off in the High Court

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Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave. Photograph: EPA/Antonio Cotrim
Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave. Photograph: EPA/Antonio Cotrim

The High Court is set to hear revealing details on the workings of one of Ireland’s most high profile companies: Web Summit.

In a civil trial that is set to last nine weeks, the three former friends who founded the tech events company – Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly and Daire Hickey – will lay out their grievances against each other.

Cosgrave, the better known of the three, has a majority stake in the company with a whopping 81 per cent, Hickey has 7 per cent and Kelly 12 per cent.

There are five individual cases to be heard in a civil trial that is expected to last around nine weeks.

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Already the three will have spent millions in legal fees, and mediation was attempted but it failed.

Cosgrave, who has not been shy about commenting on his former friends on social media, announced last week that he has bought new suits and ties for his many days in court.

Catherine Sanz, author of Drama Drives Interest: The Web Summit Story explains the background while Irish Times business reporter Ian Curran tells what dirty laundry might be aired.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast