Byrne family very happy after agreement is reached

EX-RUGBY international Shane Byrne said he feels ‘massive relief ’ after High Court proceedings brought by waste-management company Oxigen against him and his brother William were struck out.

He said his family has reclaimed ownership of their business AWD Waste Solutions, which was ‘never insolvent and is currently thriving’.

For the past nine months, the two co-directors had been engaged in what was described as a ‘bitter dispute’ over the operation of their company with Oxigen. Mr Justice Michael Quinn was told last week all matters have been resolved and the proceedings against them could be struck out.

Speaking after the case, Shane Byrne said: ‘None of the allegations made against us and our families were ever proven or proceeded with in court, and our position has been totally vindicated.

‘Obviously, we are delighted that all the allegations made against us by Oxigen are not now proceeding as they have been struck out in the High Court.’

He said the case had been hugely stressful for him and his entire family, as it had been ‘hanging over us’ since last October.

‘Myself and the family are absolutely delighted with the outcome and the settlement that’s been agreed.

‘Obviously, there’s a confidentiality agreement with the settlement but we’re very, very happy,’ he said.

‘We’re touching on nine months now and it’s been a very hard time for us all within the family and we’re just absolutely thrilled.

‘We’ve got our company back and we can now just move on and get on with running the business as the good successful company that it’s always been.’

The two parties began discussions late last month after the High Court heard the brothers were prepared to offer €1.5 million to Oxigen for its shares in the company. Under an arrangement entered into eight years ago, the brothers, who were directors and have operated the company for many years, owned a 49 per cent shareholding in AWD while Oxigen held 51 per cent.

Covering Wicklow and the south-east, the Wexford-based company employs 22 people

However, the ex-Ireland international said it had become ‘very hard’ just concentrating on running their day-to-day business with the High Court case constantly looming in the background.

‘You’re always thinking about the next step along the path of the High Court case,’ he said.

‘It is something that constantly hangs over you and there’s always the worry of what you’re putting your family through, your kids.

‘Myself and my brother have two daughters each and it does affect everybody and also parents and friends.

‘The ripple effect coming out of it is huge, there’s a massive, massive wave of relief that we’re all feeling now.’

He also said business has been booming, with home-owners tackling lockdown clearouts.