Political appointment raises the hackles of IT heads

A ROW has erupted at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) over the political appointment of the new chairman of its governing body.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey announced Fianna Fáil councillor John Gallahue, a section head in the Institute’s Built Environment departmentok), as the new chairman earlier this week.

But LIT director James McDonagh is believed to be aggrieved at the unprecedented step of appointing a staff member to the position at any institute.