Irish woman appointed first female principal of St Andrews University

A WATERFORD woman, who once claimed an interest in joining the IRA, has become the first female principal and vice-chancellor of a Scottish “ancient” university.

Dr Louise Richardson, who is executive dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, takes up her new post next January.

The 50-year-old from Tramore is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on the study of terrorism and political violence.