Kenny Jacobs Steps Down as daa CEO Following High Court Settlement

Dublin, Ireland – February 5, 2026 – Kenny Jacobs has agreed to voluntarily step down as chief executive of daa, the operator of Dublin and Cork airports, following the settlement of a High Court action brought against the State-owned company. The resolution brings an end to a dispute that began with Jacobs’ suspension in December, pending an investigation into allegations made against him.

The High Court was informed today that both sides had reached a mutually agreeable settlement. Mairead McKenna SC, representing daa, stated that under the terms of the agreement, Jacobs would “voluntarily step down” from his position. The court also ordered adjudication of Jacobs’ legal costs and struck out the proceedings.

Jacobs initiated the legal action seeking to overturn his suspension and halt a disciplinary investigation. He had argued that the daa board had prejudged his removal from office. The initial investigation centered around 20 allegations, following a prior inquiry led by Mark Connaughton SC which had cleared Jacobs of earlier accusations of inappropriate behavior – specifically, claims of “sexist, misogynistic, racist, homophobic and ageist behaviour” in comments to or about employees.

The dispute escalated after a proposed exit package agreed upon in mid-September was not approved by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. According to court documents, Jacobs believed a further 20 allegations were being prepared against him to bolster the case for his removal. Kelley Smith SC had been appointed to lead the new investigation into these complaints.

In an affidavit submitted to the High Court, Jacobs also denied allegations of interference with procurement processes within the State-owned company. He maintained that the subsequent complaints were designed to secure an unfavorable outcome in the proposed investigation.

Following the settlement, Jacobs released a statement expressing his satisfaction with the resolution. He stated he was “immensely proud of the outstanding performance daa achieved in my time as CEO with record operational, commercial and financial results.” He also highlighted improvements made for passengers at both Dublin and Cork airports, and the infrastructure expansion undertaken during his tenure, emphasizing their importance to the Irish economy.

Jacobs concluded by thanking the teams at Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, ARI, and Daa International, wishing them the best for the future.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed that he and his officials had been kept informed throughout the process by daa chairperson Basil Geoghegan. While not legally required to approve the settlement as a shareholder, the board kept his officials apprised of developments. O’Brien also noted his dissatisfaction with the financial terms of a previous conciliation attempt in September, stating that today’s settlement quantum is “considerably less.”

The Minister emphasized the importance of daa focusing on its core responsibilities, particularly the effective operation, management, and future development of Ireland’s airports, which he described as “critical national infrastructure” central to economic connectivity and growth.

The resolution of this dispute marks a significant turning point for daa, as the company navigates a period of ongoing growth and investment in its airport infrastructure. The focus now shifts to identifying a successor for Jacobs and ensuring a smooth transition in leadership. The long-term implications of the settlement, particularly regarding the financial terms and the future direction of daa, remain to be seen.