Court rejects Philip Nolan's bid to keep his employment status at Science Foundation Ireland

Former Nphet member's legal team did not push for him to return to his day-to-day functions as director general of the research agency but requested he would not be treated as dismissed

former Nphet member Philip Nolan was appointed CEO-designate of Taighde Éireann (Research Ireland), a Government-proposed merger of SFI and the Irish Research Council. Picture: PA

The Court of Appeal has dismissed an application from Professor Philip Nolan asking to maintain his employment status with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) pending determination of his appeal of what he claims is a “fundamentally incorrect” High Court decision.

His legal team did not push for him to return to his day-to-day functions as director general of the research agency but requested that he would not be treated as dismissed for the purpose of protecting him if, ahead of his appeal, SFI is dissolved to make way for a new proposed research body.