A SUSPENDED secondary school principal has settled his High Court action aimed at preventing a disciplinary meeting taking place which, he claimed, would result in his dismissal.
Eric Gaughran, Quinsboro, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, was suspended as principal of Mountmellick Community School, Co Laois, on June 21st last after the school’s board of management received a report into an allegation he had bullied a member of staff.
Mr Gaughran disputed the report’s findings, which stated he did not manage matters in a proper way and recommended the board of management take action.
He was suspended on full pay after a board meeting on June 21st and told he would later need to go to a disciplinary meeting.
Mr Gaughran had claimed his suspension was unwarranted, disproportionate and unlawful and said he believed the board intended to dismiss him. The disciplinary meeting was due to take place on September 20th but was put on hold after Mr Gaughran initiated legal proceedings last July against the board of management, which denied his claims.
When the matter came before the High Court yesterday for hearing, Mairéad McKenna, for Mr Gaughran, told Mr Justice John Hedigan the action could be struck out. No details of the settlement were revealed.
The court previously heard Mr Gaughran had been principal since 2002 and believed a minority of teachers wanted him removed from his job. He claimed he had been a victim of bullying.
The board appointed a third party to investigate allegations that Mr Gaughran had bullied a staff member. While saying he had cause to speak to that person about absenteeism, Mr Gaughran denied he had bullied her.