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Settled

Claims of extortion bid by businessman 'untrue and outrageous', he says

Case settled between marketing services company Madcalm and shareholder.

A DISPUTE BETWEEN a company and its former CEO who denied accusations of threatening to publicly divulge personal details of Vodafone customers unless paid €135,000 has been settled.

Marketing consultants Madcalm Ltd, Monksland, Athlone, Co Roscommon had brought brought proceedings against its former CEO and 20% shareholder Sean McGrath.

When the matter was first brought to court, it was done so on an ex-parte basis, meaning that neither Sean McGrath, nor his legal representative, were present to make any response to the allegations made by Madcalm.

McGrath vehemently denies the claims that he had tried to extort money from Madcalm by threatening to divulge names, addresses and bank details of Vodafone costumers.

Sean McGrath denied the accusations and said the company’s allegations against him were “untrue and outrageous.” He also said had no confidential information of the kind suggested by Madcalm.

His counsel Declan Murphy Bl said his client was prepared to make his phone available for analysis by an expert firm.

Proceedings struck out

Madcalm provides consultancy marketing services to telecommunications companies, particularly mobile phone operators to assist them in acquiring and retaining customers.

It had obtained a temporary High Court injunction preventing McGrath from disseminating any confidential information by any means to any third party or from threatening, approaching or communicating with any official of Madcalm or its clients.

McGrath’s lawyers had told the court he would seek to have the injunction discharged.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan at the High Court was told by Brian Conroy Bl for Madcalm the matter had been resolved between the parties.

Counsel said the injunction could be vacated and the proceedings struck out. No details of the settlement were revealed in open court.

Author
Aodhan O Faolain