Man at centre of UCC allegations refuses to meet inquiry head

AN inquiry into allegations of financial mismanagement at University College Cork is to be completed without evidence from the man whose claims led to its establishment.

Professor Des Clarke, a UCC governing body member and head of the college’s philosophy department, has declined an invitation of John Malone to speak with him.

The former secretary general of the Department of Agriculture was chosen earlier this month by the governing body to carry out the review, following consultation with the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

The authority had been asked by Education Minister Mary Hanafin to examine Prof Clarke’s allegations made to her in July.

Among his complaints is that the university had accumulated unmanageable debts under the leadership of president Prof Gerry Wrixon, and that intimidation and bullying of staff is rife throughout the college.

But Prof Clarke has rejected the authority of Mr Malone’s inquiry, as it falls short of the appointment of a visitor which the minister can do under the 1997 Universities Act.

Such a person, usually a High Court judge, would have power to investigate alleged breaches of college statutes or legislation.

He has also questioned the independence of the process, although governing body chairman Enda McDonagh has insisted that Mr Malone’s selection was entirely above board.

An interim report of Mr Malone’s work must be submitted to the governing body within the next fortnight, although no timescale has been placed on completion of the review.

His terms of reference are to find if there is substance in any of the allegations not previously investigated by the governing body and to examine the processes used in those past inquiries.

Prof Wrixon’s successor as UCC president is expected to be named next week, after four applicants were recently shortlisted for a final decision to be made by a sub-committee of the governing body.

The controversial college leader announced last May that he will resign at the end of January, which came as a surprise after his tenure was extended a year earlier under special arrangements cleared by the Government which allowed him to work beyond normal public service retirement age.

His 10-year term would have continued until January 1999, but the beginning of his replacement’s tenure will coincide with the formation of a new governing body early next year.