THE DAA HAS committed to pausing the disciplinary investigation against suspended DAA chief Kenny Jacobs until a court hearing takes place, the High Court has heard.

Jacobs has taken legal proceedings against the DAA after being suspended from his role as chief executive before Christmas pending the outcome of an investigation.

He is seeking to overturn his suspension and get his job back. 

Jacob’s legal team, led by Padraic Lyons and Arthur Cox Solicitors, said today that the DAA has agreed to temporarily pause the investigation. McCann FitzGerald Solicitors, representing the DAA, confirmed this commitment. 

Lyons further said Jacobs is seeking an order lifting his suspension and ending the investigation against him.

Judge Marguerite Bolger said the parties will be accommodated with an “urgent hearing date”.

In court documents that were reported on last Friday, Jacobs described allegations that he displayed “sexist, misogynistic, racist, homophobic and ageist behaviour” to or about DAA employees as baseless.

He said these allegations, as well as those alleging he had been responsible for employees’ suicidal ideation, was false and unjustifiably made. He also denied allegations that he interfered with procurement processes.

He said an inquiry led by senior counsel Mark Connaughton had already dismissed these allegations.

He told the court that his suspension and the issues preceding it had caused ‘immense’ stress to him and his family.

The DAA must deliver their affidavit responding to Jacob’s case by 6pm Friday, and Jacobs must submit any responding affidavit by 22 February.

The case has been scheduled to return to court for mention on 23 February. A date for the hearing, which will be heard by Judge Brian Cregan, has not yet been finalised.