A Co Meath vocational school principal has been removed from his job after allowing one of his sons to impersonate the other in a Leaving Cert examination in June.
After considering the report of a departmental inquiry into the incident, the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, found that Mr Bryan Keane, principal of Athboy Vocational School, "had misconducted himself in relation to his office as principal".
He has instructed Meath VEC that Mr Keane should not be considered for a school principal's post for at least three years and should not have any direct involvement in the administration of State exams. Mr Keane will return to being an ordinary teacher in the school.
A report by an assistant chief inspector in the Department of Education found that "an act of personation did take place involving Mr Keane's sons during the Leaving Certificate English examination on 11th June." It noted that Mr Keane had co-operated fully with the inquiry and "admitted fully and openly his awareness of the personation which took place".
Mr Keane has told the Minister that he accepts the decision and does not intend to avail of his right to appeal.
The chairman of Meath VEC, Mr Patrick O'Neill, said the Minister had "come to a very welljudged and considered decision. The integrity of the State examinations must be respected and any person who fails in their duty in this regard must expect severe punishment. Mr Keane has served Co Meath VEC very well for a long career and I am very pleased that he will continue to work as a teacher in Athboy, where he is highly regarded."
The chairman of the school's parents' council, Mr Michael Byrne, called Mr Keane "a very good, hard-working principal. His honesty and openness with the inquiry is exactly what I would expect."
A source close to the Minister expressed sadness at the "huge pressure" on Mr Keane's family which had led to "this unfortunate incident".