Primary teachers have elected Limerick man Noel Ward as deputy general secretary of the primary teachers’ union the INTO.
In a ballot of all members North and south, Mr Ward was elected on the first count to replace Sheila Nunan, who earlier this year was elected general secretary to replace John Carr.
Mr Ward has a long record in primary education and trade unionism. While studying education in St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, he served as student union president before a teaching career in schools in Dublin.
He was a well-known INTO activist before being elected to its executive in the 1980s.