Union considers options over sacked principal

THE union of a Meath gaelscoil principal sacked over a dispute about religious education will decide their next move next week.

Tomás Ó Dúlaing was dismissed from Gaelscoil Thulach na n-Óg school in Dunboyne more than three weeks ago.

The row began earlier this year when he wrote to parents telling them Catholic pupils at the interdenominational school would be prepared for their First Communion outside normal teaching hours.

Although Mr Ó Dúlaing has been appointed to another job in a Dublin school, the Irish National Teachers Organisation said at the time it would use all possible means to ensure the decision was not allowed to stand. Its 22-member central executive committee is expected to consider its options, including legal or industrial action, at its monthly meeting next Monday.

An INTO spokesperson said: "Decisions will have to be made soon on how to handle this situation. We have taken legal advice and that should be available to the executive committee next week."

Among the possible steps could be possible industrial action by the four remaining teachers at the school, who are expected to be consulted by INTO officials later next week.

The teachers' union is also hoping to meet representatives of the other 40-plus schools under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta the patronage body of the Meath school.

It upheld the board of management's decision to dismiss Mr Ó Dúlaing and, in defending that move, vowed earlier this month to oppose any action taken against them by the INTO.

The principal was suspended in April over the matter, because the ethos of the school is that all children would receive religious instruction in class time.

The benchmarking report issued two months ago will be a major issue on the INTO executive agenda during its three days of meetings in Westport, Co Mayo, beginning on Monday.

The union was unhappy that primary school principals, particularly those in very small schools, were treated less favourably than their second level counterparts in the report published at the end of June.