Sacked Dunboyne principal gets new post

The principal at the centre of the Dunboyne Gaelscoil dispute, Mr Tomás Ó Dulaing, has a new job as principal of a multi-denominational…

The principal at the centre of the Dunboyne Gaelscoil dispute, Mr Tomás Ó Dulaing, has a new job as principal of a multi-denominational school in Lucan.

The school at Griffeen Valley opens its doors in September and Mr Ó Dulaing was appointed to his post in recent days.

After his dismissal from the Gaelscoil was confirmed by An Foras Pátrúnachta during the summer, Mr Ó Dulaing, applied for a post in the multi-denominational sector, which is represented by the Educate Together group.

Meanwhile, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) is due to meet in Westport, Co Mayo, on Monday to discuss the Dunboyne issue and the principal's dismissal.

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There are four other teachers in the school who are due to start back to school in September and the issue of how religion can be taught in an interdenominational setting is unresolved.

In the short term, INTO officials will meet the teachers to discuss their concerns relating to the teaching of religion and other matters.

According to sources, the teachers are said to be devastated at the dismissal of Mr Ó Dulaing and are considering their future.

However, it is expected they will return to the school in September.

It also remains unclear how many pupils will arrive for school on September 2nd. Some sources estimate there may be as few as 50 pupils in the school.

The INTO has written to the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, seeking his support for a forum on the teaching of religion in schools.

It has also called on the major churches to take part in this forum, along with patron body An Foras Pátrúnachta.

The INTO has decided the teaching of religion in a changing Ireland will be a major topic at its annual conference.