Official’s death threat claim to be investigated

Elected officers of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland are to investigate their general secretary’s claim that he was bullied and had a death threat made against him on a website used by some of the union’s members.

The issue was dealt with in a brief statement to the ASTI annual convention in Wexford yesterday morning by president-elect Philip Irwin. He said he was referring to general secretary Pat King’s statement in a public session the day before, in which he said he had received a death threat and that he was subjected to bullying.

Mr King made his remarks during a strong criticism of what he said was the abusive behaviour of some members who shouted over Education Minister Ruairi Quinn during his speech to the convention the evening before.

The union boss said he himself was subjected to a death threat and had despicable references to his children and grandchildren made on a website used and moderated by ASTI members, and that they had been left there for several weeks before being removed.

Mr Irwin said yesterday that neither he nor any officers of the union were aware before yesterday that Mr King was going to make that public statement.

“The general secretary further said that he had brought these matters to the attention of the central executive council (CEC) in January,” Mr Irwin said.

“I remember that statement because following it, I stated to CEC that I was unaware of the details of the situation before that and that I was disappointed with what I had heard. The general secretary thanked me for my comments at that CEC at that time,” he told delegates.

“I wish to state as president-elect that I am unaware of any formal communication from the general secretary to the president and the officers on these matters between January and this public statement yesterday.

“However, in view of the statements about the death threat and bullying yesterday, I believe that it is incumbent on us as a union to investigate the matter in line with our duty of care to our employees,” he said.

He said he did not want to make any further comment, and was warmly applauded by delegates.

There was also applause later, when Pauline Nagle — a Clare delegate and CEC member — raised the bullying claims and said: “Public session is not the place to air grievances.”

Mr King said on Wednesday that he raised the issue publicly to explain the context of his intervention in relation to the scenes during Mr Quinn’s address, having promised himself after his own experience never to sit silently and allow another human being be bullied or abused in his presence.