The High Court has refused to grant a further injunction to Professor Philip Nolan restraining his dismissal from his position as Director General of Science Foundation Ireland.
In a ruling published this morning, the court ruled that the Board was entitled to dismiss Professor Nolan for “no reason at all” in accordance with the terms of his contract.
But it said the reasons for his dismissal were “no doubt connected” with the disruption in the organisation which had arisen following the making of protected disclosures involving claims against Professor Nolan from five staff members.
Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy ruled there was no evidence that the board had decided he should be dismissed because of misconduct, which could have formed a basis for continuing the injunction.
He also refused to grant an extension of his earlier order preventing Professor Nolan’s dismissal. He further refused to grant orders permitting Professor Nolan to return to work pending the outcome of his case against SFI.
However, the judge said the temporary injunction preventing Professor Nolan’s dismissal would remain in place until he makes final orders in the case.
The matter will be back in court on 4 July, to finalise matters and to deal with costs.
