Athlone IT 'unaware of sex offence conviction until last week'

Athlone Institute of Technology has said it was not aware the Director of its Centre for Childcare had been convicted of a sex offence before last week.

Doctor Niall McElwee resigned his position last week after telling college bosses he had been convicted in September 2005 of an offence involving a teenage girl in the Netherlands.

The 40 year-old academic is a leading researcher in childcare and drug and alcohol abuse.

The Director of Athlone Institute of Technology, Ciaran O'Cathain has said the college will be examining vetting procedures for its staff.