University of Limerick president goes on sick leave

Donal O'Regan, 28 Mar

UL PRESIDENT, Professor Kerstin Mey, has gone on sick leave, it is

understood, amid mounting pressure on her to resign following the

revelation that the university overspent by more than €5m on housing.

According to sources, and reports on RTE's Morning Ireland, Professor

Mey went on sick leave on Wednesday.

The University of Limerick declined to comment on the matter when

contacted this Thursday morning.

Pressure has been mounting on Professor Mey after it emerged the

institution lost €5.2m after paying inflated prices for 20 homes in

Rhebogue last year. Professor Mey has been asked to consider her

position by a number of groups including members of

the college's executive committee.

In an unusual step, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has requested

that UL's governing authority conduct a review of matters related to

the purchase of a number of houses adjacent to its campus.

Minister of State Department of Further and Higher Education, Research,

Innovation and Science with responsibility for Skills and Further

Education, Niall Collins said under the Universities Act, universities

are independent in their operation and governance.

Speaking to Limerick Live this Thursday morning, Mr Collins said: "It

is a matter for the UL Governing Authority to deal with these issues,

however, the HEA has a statutory remit to oversee our third level

sector given that public monies are given to our universities and where

issues arise in the public interest they can step in and investigate."

READ MORE: UL stalemate as president battles to remain in post

The move by the HEA comes as the chancellor of University of Limerick

(UL) Brigid Laffan prepares to hold a meeting of all staff and students

at University Concert Hall this Thursday at 1.30pm.

In a letter sent to the chancellor by the sole trade union on campus,

UL Unite - which represents almost 900 workers - they demanded an

investigation be undertaken “to identify those involved in this debacle

and hold them accountable for this waste of money”.

Separately, the governing authority of UL is due to meet later this

Thursday afternoon.

It is understood a report on the Rhebogue transaction has been

completed by an outside independent former high ranking civil servant.