THE ex-finance director of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has launched a twin-pronged attack on the organisation – raising legal action against his former employers in court and at an employment tribunal.
Eamon Hegarty, parted company with the organisation in September, is seeking compensation for unfair dismissal, breach of contract and unpaid holiday pay at a tribunal in Edinburgh.
He has also raised a civil action in the Court of Session in Edinburgh, seeking an undisclosed sum which The Herald understands relates to unpaid bonuses from his time with the SRU.
It is believed the SRU has agreed Mr Hegarty should receive some payment, but is disputing the larger sum he is claiming for.
The court case, which is still at a preliminary stage, was called yesterday, but was adjourned for two weeks to allow adjustments in the arguments between the two parties.
The tribunal is also at an early stage, with papers only recently lodged at a Tribunal Service office in Glasgow. These will be transferred to Edinburgh later this year for a full hearing.
The proceedings follow a turbulent period at the rugby body, which brought about the downfall of controversial former chief executive Gordon McKie.
Mr Hegarty, whose salary as finance and business operations director was reported to be £200,000, had been brought on board by Mr McKie, but was removed when current chief executive Mark Dodson took over. He was replaced by finance controller Andrew Healy.
At the time of his departure, an SRU spokesman said he was leaving the organisation "with immediate effect". However, it was not revealed whether he had resigned or been sacked.
The spokesman added: "Eamon has provided excellent financial stability to the [SRU], and has assisted in transforming Scottish rugby in the past six years. He has achieved a great deal during his time and we are grateful for all his efforts.
"He leaves behind a solid financial platform with reduced debt, from which the next phase of developing the game in Scotland can be launched."
Mr Hegarty had been Mr McKie's business partner in a number of ventures and was given the role with the SRU in 2005.
He was also appointed to deal with marketing, ticketing and Murrayfield stadium events.
However, the pair angered many supporters with unpopular policies which included ending ticket sales on the day of an international.
There was also anger at the sacking of Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat in January last year.
Mr Hegarty took the unpopular decision to stop supporters from using the SRU President's Suite for traditional post-match hospitality and spent over £500,000, including £70,000 on a carpet, refurbishing it.
The suite became an exclusive events venue aimed at generating funds for the SRU. However, Mr Hegarty was forced to admit that little profit had been made from a series of events held there.
Mr McKie, who joined the SRU in 2005, is believed to have been threatened with disciplinary action from the board before he offered his resignation in June last year.
He has since taken up a post in Hong Kong with the country's football association.
Mr Hegarty, who joined the organisation soon after Mr McKie, was expected to join his former business partner in the Far East, but is believed to be currently unemployed.
The Herald was yesterday unable to reach him for comment. His lawyer declined to comment on his behalf.
A spokesman for SRU also refused to speak about the court case or the impending tribunal.
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