Principal decides not to appeal sacking

A gaelscoil principal who was sacked last summer for saying that religion should be taught outside school hours has dropped his appeal against the dismissal.

Tomas O'Dulaing had opposed a management directive at his Co Meath school which said that all religious instruction should take place inside school hours.

He argued that because the school had both Catholic and Protestant pupils, it would be more equitable for them to receive religious instruction outside school rather than be segregated.

Mr O'Dulaing said he decided not to pursue an appeal against his sacking because of plans to establish a body to examine the issue of religion in inter-denominational schools.