A significant chapter in Irish aviation leadership concluded this week as daa and its Chief Executive, Kenny Jacobs, reached a mutually agreed settlement before the High Court, bringing an abrupt end to a contentious dispute that had escalated over recent months. Under the terms of the agreement, Jacobs will voluntarily step down from his role as CEO of the daa, the operator of Dublin and Cork airports.
Background to the Dispute
Jacobs had been suspended by the daa board in December pending a new investigation into 20 additional allegations made against him. These followed an earlier independent inquiry led by Mark Connaughton SC, which cleared him of allegations of sexist, misogynistic, racist, homophobic and ageist behaviour.
In his High Court action, Jacobs sought to lift his suspension and prevent the new disciplinary investigation from proceeding. He argued that the board had prejudged his removal from office and that historic complaints were being revisited in a way he described as “baseless and unwarranted.”
The dispute had been scheduled for hearing over two days; however, both legal teams informed the court that a “very recent development” had enabled a full resolution.
Terms of the Settlement
While the specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed, counsel for daa, Mairéad McKenna SC, confirmed that both sides had resolved the dispute on “mutually agreeable terms,” with Jacobs agreeing to step down voluntarily. The proceedings were formally struck out by Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger, who praised both parties for resolving what she described as a “very complex matter.” An order was granted for Jacobs’s legal costs to be adjudicated.
Last year, a €1.2 million exit package had been negotiated but not approved by Government ministers; however, it remains unclear whether the final settlement bears any relationship to that earlier proposed agreement.
In court, daa and Jacobs jointly acknowledged the work of airport staff and management teams and the vital economic contribution of Dublin and Cork airports. Following the case’s conclusion, Jacobs issued a statement expressing pride in the organisation’s achievements under his tenure, highlighting:
- Record operational, commercial, and financial performance
- Passenger‑focused improvements at both Dublin and Cork airports
- Progress in infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives
He concluded by thanking teams across daa, Aer Rianta International, and daa International for their dedication.
The settlement brings an end to a turbulent period for the state‑owned airport operator. The daa board must now decide on interim and long‑term leadership arrangements at a time when Dublin Airport continues to deal with capacity constraints and Cork Airport is advancing its own recovery and growth plans. With Jacobs stepping aside, attention now shifts to daa’s next steps and future CEO.
