Principal granted leave to challenge investigation

A school principal has launched a High Court challenge aimed at halting an investigation into a number of complaints against him, including that he stared, and winked at a co-worker.

The action has been brought by Noel Malone, principal of Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom, Co Limerick, against the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, which runs the school.

At the High Court yesterday, Mr Malone’s counsel, John Hennessy, said his client “vehemently denies” the allegations against him. Counsel said that, arising out of complaints, his client, who has been principal since 1999, has been put on administrative leave by the board.

Mr Hennessy said his client is the subject of two complaints, made in July and September last year.

The complaints are that a teacher at the school allegedly taught one of Mr Malone’s children on a one-to-one basis as part of that teacher’s contracted 22 weekly hours.

The other complaint was that another teacher at the school alleged he was “stared at”, “smiled at” and “winked at” by Mr Malone at “an event outside of the school”.

Counsel said his client is unhappy with the manner and speed at which the investigative process is being conducted . Mr Hennessy also said Mr Malone is concerned about the adverse effect these matters will have on his professional reputation. As a result he has brought proceedings and seeks various orders and declarations from the High Court.

He seeks orders including permanent injunctions preventing his employer from continuing its investigation into the complaints. He also seeks declarations that his purported suspension by the board’s CEO along with a direction that he stay away from the school and not contact any staff members are null, void, and are unlawful.

Permission to bring the challenge was, on an ex-parte basis, granted yesterday by Mr Justice Seamus Noonan.

The case will come before the court again in July.