Dismissed Teacher Not to Appeal

The principal teacher in a Dunboyne school, who was dismissed in a row over the teaching of religion, has decided not to appeal.

Tomás Ó Dúlaing, the principal teacher in Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg in Dunboyne, was dismissed last summer.

He was dismissed following a dispute over the teaching of religion in an inter-denominational setting.

Mr Ó Dúlaing questioned how different religious beliefs could be taught to two groups of children of different religions at the same time.

Following a protracted dispute in the school, he was sacked by the Board of Management.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation defended Mr Ó Dúlaing, arguing that teachers had not been consulted about the teaching of religion in these schools.

They demanded among other things the establishment of a Forum on Inter-denominational Education to examine all of the issues.

The decision not to take the case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal was made in light of a number of recent developments.

It is understood that in recent days, significant progress was made towards the establishment of a Convention on Inter-denominational Education.

Suitable terms of reference have been proposed and discussions have taken place in relation to an agreed Chairperson.

This progress has been welcomed by the INTO.