Teacher took 365 sick days in 4 years

A Supreme Court judge has queried why somebody didn’t shout stop and urge mediation before lengthy litigation was embarked on by a teacher over being required to undergo psychiatric assessment to see if she was fit to resume work.

Kathleen Fitzpatrick was on paid sick leave for 365 days in four consecutive years, the court noted.

Mr Justice John MacMenamin made the remarks as the court dismissed an appeal by Ms Fitzpatrick after a legal battle with the board of management of her former school, St Mary’s NS, Touraneena, Co Waterford.