External academics probe plagiarism claim against college chair

Three external academics have been chosen to investigate allegations of plagiarism against IT Tralee chairman Flan Garvey.

The former Fianna Fáil county councillor for Clare has said he intends to defend his position following the claims made to college authorities by 26 academics in November in relation to his 2008 master of arts research dissertation at the college. He has stepped back from his duties as governing body chair while the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation panel appointed by IT Tralee’s examination and assessments review committee was named in an email from college president Oliver Murphy to academic staff.