Students bring court challenge over decision to cancel audiology course
The action has been brought by students, Megan Munnelly, Knockbrack, Corballa, Co Sligo; and Diarmuid O’Connor, Ballyvodock, East Midleton, Co Cork, who had completed their first year of their Bachelor of Science Degrees at Athlone Institute of Technology. However, earlier this year the students and their 20 classmates were informed by AIT their course was being cancelled.
In judicial review proceedings against AIT, the Higher Education Authority and the Health Service Executive, the students want the High Court to make various orders, including one quashing the decision to cancel the course.
They are also seeking orders that the course be continued, and they are provided with work placements as part of their course.
They are also seeking various declarations, including that the HEA and the HSE have unlawfully interfered with the provision by AIT of the course for those students who commenced their studies in 2012. The case was briefly mentioned before the president of the High Court yesterday, who adjourned the matter to Tuesday of next week.
