Chairman of Tralee college to step down after controversy

The controversial chairman of the Institute of Technology in Tralee Flann Garvey, is to retire, it has been announced.

Mr Garvey, from Co Clare, is a former Fianna Fáil councillor and primary school teacher. He was appointed as chairman of IT Tralee by the then minister for education Noel Dempsey in 2001.

A strong advocate of lifelong education, Mr Garvey completed a master’s degree at the college in 2008 and recently announced he was to study for a doctorate.

However, following an allegation of plagiarism in his thesis by some 26 members of staff at the college who said sections of the thesis on local history was identical to previously published sources, Mr Garvey stepped aside from the role of chairman last December.

Cleared of the charge on appeal in recent weeks – the Examinations Assessment and Appeals Committee found the infraction to be unintentional, Mr Garvey resumed as chairman of the college governing body just last week.

However, on Monday night he informed a meeting of the governing body of IT Tralee of his decision to retire on July 31st. In a brief statement, the body accepted the decision and acknowledged his “significant contribution” to the institute during his term and said the Department of Education had been informed.

There was also controversy about nearly €126,000 in expenses claimed by Mr Garvey between 2005 and 2011. Mr Garvey said he was entitled to these expenses which involved travel from Clare.

Earlier this month in an interview with Clare FM, Mr Garvey said he could soon be enrolled as a PhD student while working as chairman of the governing body.