Angela Kerins seeks damages over treatment by PAC vultures

Former Rehab chief executive Angela Kerins was assailed by a pack of parliamentary vultures when the Dils Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was investigating State funding of the organisation, her lawyer has told the High Court. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times.

Former Rehab chief executive officer AngelaKerinswas assailed by a pack of parliamentary vultures when theDilsPublic Accounts Committee (PAC) was investigating State funding of the organisation, her lawyer has told the High Court.

MsKerins suffered devastating injuries as a direct consequence of questioning of her by PAC on February 27th, 2014, John Rogers SC said.

Counsel made the remarks when applying to Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy for an order for discovery of documents sought by Ms Kerins for her action against the PAC.

In these judicial review proceedings, Ms Kerins wants various declarations and orders, including one restraining the PAC further pursuing the examination ofRehabsaccounts insofar as they relate to her employment with the organisation. She is also seeking damages.

The action is against the members of the PAC including the chairman, JohnMcGuinness TD; the clerk ofDilireann; the clerk of the PAC; Ireland; and the Attorney General.

Ms Kerins claims the PAC has conducted itself unlawfully, showed bias towards her, acted outside its remit, and has committed a malfeasance in public office.

Mr Rogers said in advance of attending the February 27th PAC meeting, MsKerinshad already made a public statement disclosing her salary and was still subjected to questioning about it at the meeting.

What unfolded at the meeting was an excoriating examination by members of PAC in which a number of references were made about MsKerins,including her being stubborn and the like, counsel said.

As a result, she was injured and degraded and suffered a significant health setback, he said. When I say significant, I mean devastatingly significant injuries.

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Angela Kerins seeks damages over treatment by PAC vultures