A school principal told the Employment Appeals Tribunal yesterday that an incident in which a teacher went "berserk" in the staffroom was one of the most shocking he had had to deal with.
The teacher, Paul Kiernan, Whitecliff Estate, Rathfarnham, Dublin, went on sick leave after the incident in August 2001.
The claim was made by Fr Martin Daly, principal of the Catholic University School (CUS), Leeson Street, Dublin.
Yesterday Fr Daly was cross-examined by Marguerite Bolger, counsel for Mr Kiernan, who put it to him that what happened in that short time in the staffroom had had a phenomenal consequence on her client. He had not been paid since July 2002 and was on the lowest supplementary welfare with a wife and three young children.
Fr Daly said: "I think it's the most shocking incident I've had to deal with as principal."
He said Mr Kiernan had had to go on sick leave after it and had a psychiatric assessment.
Mr Kiernan claims that, despite having clearance from his doctors, the school has prevented him from returning to work and denied him the ability to provide for his family. He claims he was bullied by the school's administration, and the absence of his salary has caused him and his family severe stress and strain.
Ms Bolger asked Fr Daly about Mr Kiernan's allegations.
Fr Daly said that before the incident Mr Kiernan was in his office and was about two inches from his face. He started shouting at him and accused him of bullying him. "I recall feeling extremely intimidated and quite threatened. I was on my own in the office. I certainly didn't want to continue on with nobody else there," he said.
Ms Bolger put it to him that he had used the incident to push Mr Kiernan out.
Fr Daly said: "I would like if Mr Kiernan's situation could be resolved. I have no desire to cause harm." He added that, although he was not in the staffroom, he had received accounts from three or four staff and stood by his comments.
Counsel asked why the names of parents making complaints were not given to Mr Kiernan.
Fr Daly said: "Paul would go and pursue and interrogate those pupils and parents, that was the risk . . . The situation was extremely taut."
The case resumes on May 25th.