Students call for inquiry after director’s resignation

Niall Murray, Education Correspondent

Staff have also made a statement of support for Caoimhe Máirtín, who stepped down as head of Coláiste Mhuire Marino last week after reaching a settlement with her employers Marino Institute of Education (MIE). She had gone to the High Court claiming she was bullied and psychologically abused by MIE’s governing body and trustees.

The teacher training college is a constituent of MIE, under the trusteeship of the Christian Brothers.

“We are here in support of Caoimhe Máirtín and the rest of the fantastic staff at the college, ” said students’ union president Maria Hannon.

The academic staff of the college said they were appalled and hurt by the events which caused Ms Máirtín’s resignation. Their union, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, has called for an Auditor & Comptroller General audit of MIE’s accounts.

MIE’s trustees have said no funds have been misappropriated and they and the board of governors stand over the financial administration of the institute.

In the Seanad yesterday, independent Senator Joe O’Toole said he wanted to set up an examination into the actions of the MIE board of governors.

The Department of Education will give MIE an estimated 5 million this year but it says it has no role in staff management. However, officials will meet trustees of MIE next week to discuss issues raised by former lecturer Bro Rory Geoghegan.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin is on foreign business but Housing Minister Noel Ahern told the Dáil on Wednesday it would be a matter of grave concern if funding provided to Coláiste Mhuire Marino was not used to train teachers but there was no information to suggest this was the case.

Independent TD Finian McGrath had said serious questions have arisen about the use of conference funds and strong evidence was available. He said the core issues are bullying and intimidation, damage to a top quality college and accountability for public funds.