Labour call for principal's reinstatement

The Labour Party has called for the reinstatement of the principal of an inter-denominational gaelscoil who was sacked yesterday for refusing to teach the Catholic religion during school hours.

Tomas O’Dulaing was fired because he decided that Catholic pupils should receive religious instruction outside school hours.

Mr O’Dulaing said he made the decision so Protestant pupils would not have to sit through the religion class or leave the room.

Labour spokesman Joe Costello said the decision to sack him was a mistake.

"It’s the wrong response to the situation," he said. "I think he should be reinstated. I think that there should be a forum established to look into this very difficult and complex issue of how inter-denominational gaelscoileanna would operate in terms of religion."