The High Court has granted legal teams representing Professor Philip Nolan and Science Foundation Ireland a provisional date of 11 June for another hearing of Mr Nolan’s application to prevent his dismissal as Director General of the organisation.
Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy was told that given the practical and logistical issues surrounding Mr Nolan’s return to work, further time was required to prepare affidavits.
Both sides agreed to “let matters rest for now” until the next hearing, which is expected to last for one day and is provisionally scheduled for 11 days’ time.
Padraic Lyons, SC, representing Professor Nolan said it is his client’s view that he is entitled to return to work and it is essential that he does so.
However, given the outstanding issues, Mr Nolan has agreed that he will not physically return to the office up until the next proposed hearing on 11 June.
The High Court also heard that Professor Nolan has been locked out of his emails and internet since he was dismissed by the board of SFI on Monday evening.
The court was asked if SFI would be able to reinstate access to Professor Nolan’s work emails, as it might be necessary for him to respond to issues raised in the coming days.
Mark Connaughton, SC, for SFI, said there was no issue in granting this request and said the organisation would facilitate access for Professor Nolan to his account.
Regarding professor Nolan’s salary, the court heard that a payment was recently made, and nothing further would need to happen in terms of a further payment before 11 June.
Yesterday, The High Court granted a temporary injunction restraining the dismissal of Professor Nolan.
Senior Counsel Padraic Lyons told the court that Prof Nolan was notified in an email on Monday night that he was being dismissed from his role as Director General of SFI without any disciplinary hearing or opportunity for him to deal with allegations made against him.
Mr Lyons said Prof Nolan had no warning and was stripped of his employment in the most egregious fashion.
The court was told Prof Nolan emphatically rejected the allegations that he engaged in inappropriate behaviour.
