Court to rule today on teacher's application in suspension case

THE HIGH Court will rule this morning on an application by a teacher at a top Dublin secondary school to put a stay on his suspension…

THE HIGH Court will rule this morning on an application by a teacher at a top Dublin secondary school to put a stay on his suspension from work until his claim that he is entitled to appeal the disciplinary sanction has been determined.

Last Monday morning, Pierce Dillon, Harcourt Green, Dublin, was told to leave the premises of the Catholic University School, Leeson Street, which is run by the Marist Fathers, by the school principal and serve a week-long suspension with pay.

The court heard that on September 11th, the school’s board of management suspended Mr Dillon, a science and physical education teacher, after a committee of inquiry investigation into complaints of alleged misconduct. He sought to appeal that decision but was informed by the school that he had no right of appeal.

Mr Dillon, a teacher with experience of 28 years, has been with the school for the last 16 years. In March 2006 it was alleged that he had spoken to the school secretary in a disrespectful manner. In May, he was informed that this and six other allegations of misconduct were to be investigated.

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On Tuesday, Mr Dillon was granted a temporary High Court stay on implementation of the suspension. At the High Court yesterday, his legal team sought to extend the stay until his action, where he is seeking a court declaration that he is entitled to a right to appeal the board of management’s decision to suspend him, has been ruled on by the court.

Mr Justice Frank Clarke said that he was reserving judgment on the question in relation to the stay, pending a full determination of the matter, until this morning.

Counsel for Mr Dillon Mairéad McKenna told the court that her client was entitled to a right to appeal his suspension to the trustees of the school.