The High Court has heard allegations regarding a family-owned furniture delivery and assembly firm experiencing “deep rifts” over accusations of illicit payments amounting to hundreds of thousands of euros. These were purportedly made by Christopher Kane Jr, a former director of RLC Transport, a small Dublin-based company situated in Eden Grove, Donabate.
RLC Transport, well-known for supplying services to companies like Harvey Norman, Frank McGowan Furniture and the 1993 Furniture Company, had an annual turnover rate around €1.7 million from 2018 onwards. It also formerly employed 30 individuals.
Christopher Kane Sr, the father of Christopher Jr, is a current director of the firm, and the company’s 100% shareholder is Christopher’s sister, Jacqueline.
The High Court’s Ms Justice Siobhán Stack recently granted Joe Jeffers SC, representing RLC, authority to issue injunction proceedings on short notice against Christopher Jr, another former RLC employee, and a competing business established by Christopher Jr.
The injunction’s aim is to prevent the defendants from disrupting RLC operations. Jacqueline, while requesting the injunctions, declared that suspicions arose when their mother, also a company director, found her salary unpaid during her routine grocery shopping, which left her with an empty bank account.
On confronting Christopher Jr about the situation, he reportedly told his mother that the company was unable to pay her, as funds were lacking. Jacqueline mentioned that Christopher Jr was uncooperative during the subsequent investigation and actively obstructed it.
After a careful examination by a forensic accountant, allegations arose that Christopher Jr had funneled approximately €180,600 into his pension, drawn cheques of around €189,700 for himself from the company’s account, and paid another €80,000 to his wife, Naomi O’Neill, allegedly unaffiliated with the company. Moreover, suspicions were raised about unauthorised extra salary payments to Christopher Jr, undisclosed director loan payments, and payments to a competing firm called Onekan Holdings Ltd, also known as CK Transport, established by Christopher Jr.
According to Ms Kane, unapproved transactions had been made with the aid of former RLC book-keeper, Ashley Whitehead. Whitehead, who resides at Westbrook Close, Naul Road, Balbriggan, and is also the third defendant, has allegedly enabled Christopher to redirect RLC’s customers to a competing company unjustly.
She accused Christopher and Ashley Whitehead of pilfering company data, encompassing client databases, and employing RLC’s online platforms, such as their website and email accounts, inappropriately to channel customers to the opposition. She further insinuated that Christopher is the sole bearer of certain passwords, hindering the company’s ability to access and manage its data. He also is in possession of extra keys and documents of the firm’s vehicles.
Following his termination, Christopher reportedly admitted to ordering specific payments, but claimed the €80,000 payment was made to his spouse primarily to avoid being subjected to a higher tax bracket. Ms Kane spoke with him the day following his dismissal, attended by her parents and her brother Derek who is not associated with the company.
She claimed the alleged improper behaviour of Christopher has significantly affected the company and triggered intense family strife. Harvey Norman, a major client of the firm, is considering ending their association due to the unfolding events. This has led the company to halt operations temporarily, and almost all staff have been let go.
The company also finds itself indebted to Revenue at €61,448, leading the Dublin County Sheriff’s office to confiscate six company vehicles with the intent of selling them to recoup funds on 29th February.
The Hon Justice Stack has secured a court order for the preservation of all company documents and data. The trial is scheduled to continue in the following week.