Ex-music academy director’s €225k package revealed

THE former director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music racked up a €23,000 expenses bill in 2008 on top of an annual remuneration package that worked out at more than €225,000.

According to an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), renowned pianist John O’Conor — a director of the academy from 1994 until his retirement in September — was on a salary of €49,872 for a part-time contract equivalent to about 80% of the hours of other admin staff in 2008.

In the same year he was also allowed annual leave of 10 weeks with a payment of €88,200 towards his private pension. According to the audit, Mr O’Conor also maintained his part-time teaching position and was paid €65,254 a year for half the contracted hours of full-time academic staff.