Ruling due on injunction sought by senior UCC lecturer

A judge will give her decision later on whether to grant an injunction to senior lecturer and head of the Management and Marketing Department at UCC, Joan Buckley, who has brought proceedings arising out of the decision not to shortlist her in a competition for 10 professorial positions.

It is a shattering blow to the standing of Dr Buckley at the college not to be shortlisted, her counsel Frank Callanan told the High Court yesterday.

Counsel for UCC, Mark Connaughton, submitted that 360 people applied for the 10 positions at Cork University Business School and 36 were shortlisted.

He said there was an objective assessment of the applicants and Dr Buckely simply did not meet the required standard.

Counsel said that if the injunction was granted it would cause immeasurable damage to the reputation of the defendant.

Dr Buckley claims the process engaged in by UCC to appoint professors at Cork University Business School is “tainted” and “flawed”, and should be set aside.

She has asked the High Court for an injunction preventing the interview process from proceeding pending the outcome of the full hearing of her action.

UCC has opposed the application.

Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan reserved her decision.