High Court Action Forces DAA to Pause Kenny Jacobs Conduct Investigation

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 13, 2026 at 06:32 PM•3 min read

High Court Action Forces DAA to Pause Kenny Jacobs Conduct Investigation

DAA, operator of Dublin and Cork airports, pauses its CEO Kenny Jacobs investigation pending his High Court challenge against suspension over conduct allegations.

Key Points

1DAA committed to pausing the investigation into CEO Kenny Jacobs on January 12, pending a High Court ruling.
2The pause is due to a High Court challenge seeking to lift his suspension and halt the internal probe.
3Jacobs was suspended on December 23, 2025, over allegations of discriminatory conduct, which he calls "baseless."
4The High Court case is scheduled for mention on January 23rd to fix an urgent hearing date.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has agreed to pause its internal investigation into Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenny Jacobs. The decision follows a High Court challenge launched by Mr. Jacobs. The DAA operates both Dublin Airport and Cork Airport.

Mr. Jacobs is seeking to overturn his suspension. He also wants to halt the probe into his alleged conduct. The DAA board committed to the DAA investigation pause in the High Court.

Background on Suspension

Mr. Jacobs was suspended on full pay on December 23, 2025. This move followed months of tension with the DAA board. The suspension was pending a new investigation into his conduct.

The complaints against the DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs include allegations of "sexist, misogynistic, racist, homophobic and ageist behaviour." Mr. Jacobs, who is almost halfway through a seven-year contract, has described all allegations as "baseless."

Earlier in 2025, an investigation into two protected disclosures was not upheld. A negotiated exit package, valued at nearly €1 million, was reportedly reached in September. However, the Minister for Transport, acting as the State shareholder, refused to approve the deal.

High Court Challenge Details

Mr. Jacobs initiated his High Court challenge suspension to secure his return to work. He claims the board has "prejudged his removal" from office. The CEO's legal team argues the decision to investigate is "tainted by reasonable objective bias."

Barrister Kelley Smith SC had been appointed to carry out the new investigation. The DAA has now instructed the investigator not to begin work. The High Court has indicated a willingness to grant the case an urgent hearing date. The matter is listed for mention again on January 23rd.

This legal dispute highlights airport governance controversy within the State airports company. The DAA's operations are vital to the Irish economy. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) oversees safety regulations across the continent. Such high-level executive disputes can create uncertainty for stakeholders. The situation is a key development in commercial aviation news and corporate governance. You can read more industry updates at commercial aviation news.

The DAA board dispute creates a leadership vacuum at a critical time.
Continuity of operations at both Dublin and Cork airports is currently being managed by Deputy CEO Nick Cole.
The outcome of the High Court action will determine the future leadership of the Dublin Airport operator investigation and its governance structure. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses the importance of stable leadership for major airport operators.

This legal battle is a significant event. It impacts the management of one of Europe's busiest airport groups. The aviation sector, including manufacturers like Airbus, relies on stable airport partners.