Former employees of Derry regeneration company Ilex taking legal action following controversial closure

Former employees of Derry’s regeneration company, Ilex, are taking the Northern Ireland Executive to an industrial tribunal.

The Derry News has learned that seven former members of staff at Ilex are involved in the upcoming case.

Ilex closed controversially in March 2016 with the loss of 18 jobs.

The regeneration body was set up in 2003 by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to oversee the development of two former military bases in Derry at Ebrington and Fort George.

Staff at Ilex went on to play a leading role in the development of the Peace Bridge and the 2013 City of Culture celebrations in Derry.

However, there was criticism of Ilex over the pace of development at the two former military bases.

The responsibility for the Fort George site was later taken over by the former Department of Social Development.

An independent review, published in July 2015, criticised Ilex's failure to bring in private investment to the two sites.

OFMDFM announced in October 2015 that Ilex was to close by the end of March the following year.

The seven former Ilex employees involved in the industrial tribunal case are: Ruth Buckley, Jennifer Coyle, Paul Doherty, Monica Durkan, Stephanie Harley, Joan McKernan and Mary O’Dwyer.

The precise details of their case are not yet known.

The respondents in the case are listed as Ilex and ‘The Executive Office’.

There will be a ‘pre-hearing review’ in Belfast tomorrow to discuss a ‘procedural matter’ before the case begins at a later date.