Prof Philip Nolan steps down as head of Science Foundation Ireland – The Irish Times

Prof Philip Nolan has stepped unwell as director common of Science Footing Eire (SFI) following a board assembly previous this future.

The board were because of believe the findings of an investigation into 5 misconduct allegations made via senior group of workers towards Prof Nolan.

The allegations had been denied via Prof Nolan, who were because of break in an expanded nationwide analysis team, Analysis Eire, in line with an amalgamation of SFI and the Irish Analysis Council.

SFI didn’t remark publicly following Monday’s board assembly, however assets have showed that Prof Nolan has left the organisation. Deputy director common Dr Ciarán Seoighe has been appointed appearing director common.

Prof Nolan, former president of Maynooth College, got here to people prominence occasion serving as a high-profile member of the Nationwide Community Condition Catastrophe Staff throughout the Covid pandemic.

An isolated investigation into the misconduct allegations reportedly discovered that Prof Nolan used to be now not in breach of company governance and didn’t manufacture any findings of misconduct towards him or to find that his habits constituted bullying.

Then again, the investigation is reported to have concluded that he displayed “inappropriate behaviour” in opposition to the group of workers involved, which used to be on the “upper level” in admire of 2 senior group of workers.

The Environment-funded analysis company, which oversees the awarding of greater than €200 million in grants, won secure disclosures towards Prof Nolan in past due December.

In a remark issued when main points of the misconduct allegations got here to shiny previous this hour, SFI mentioned it took the reporting and investigation of the reviews very severely and used to be dedicated to the virtue of a “fair, thorough, and robust process”.

“A key element of this process is to ensure, in accordance with applicable law and guidance for public bodies dealing with protected disclosures, the protection of the identity and any identifying information in respect of those making the reports, a breach of which obligation is a criminal offence,” it mentioned, on the week.

The SFI board established a protecting disclosures team which started its investigation in January, which concerned speaking with all concerned and sporting out an preliminary review of the reviews earlier than continuing to an investigation.

This incorporated hiring an isolated investigator to lend a hand with the method.

“An extensive fact-finding investigation was carried out by that independent investigator over the course of the following months,” mentioned SFI, previous this hour.

“The investigator reported to the PDG [protected disclosure group] at the end of March and the PDG reported to the board of SFI in April. The SFI board is now taking steps to address the findings and recommendations made.”

SFI mentioned on the week that it used to be now not ready to expose figuring out data in admire of any celebration.

“SFI has a comprehensive internal audit process. There is no evidence of any breach of good corporate governance at SFI. SFI is fully operational and continues to deliver on its mandate to fund and support excellent and impactful research and innovation for the benefit of Ireland’s economy and society,” it mentioned.