Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) has said it acted quickly after finding out that one of its senior childcare academics has convictions for sexual offences.
The convictions followed an incident three years ago in an Amsterdam hotel with a group of US females aged 15 to 18.
Children's groups said the case underlined the need for more comprehensive domestic and international vetting of those working in the childcare and child protection sectors.
The college said it had acted quickly and properly in addressing convictions in the Netherlands in 2005 against Dr Niall McElwee after first becoming aware of them last week.
The institute's director, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, said he was approached 12 days ago by Dr McElwee and told of the convictions. "That's the first indication we got formally or informally."
He immediately made it clear to Dr McElwee, director of AIT's centre for child and youth care learning, that the matter had very serious implications.
"I think, yes, we did respond very quickly. Once the implications were laid very clearly to Dr McElwee I think he knew himself his resignation would be required."
Dr McElwee had never been disciplined for any matter by the institute and his references when recruited did not raise any issues of concern, Prof Ó Catháin said.
However, it emerged last night that while working at Waterford Institute of Technology in 1999, Dr McElwee was warned about showing material to students which was adjudged inappropriate after a review by the institute.
The Irish Times understands Athlone Institute of Technology was never made aware of this.
Barnardos and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) said Dr McElwee's continued employment for three years after the offences took place highlighted the need for greater international co-operation in vetting.
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said those working not only on a "front line" basis with children but also on a professional or managerial basis should be checked.
The Garda vetting unit was "very good and committed completely to child protection". But it could only operate with the co-operation of employers who went to them.
"We have to put the guidelines on a proper statutory basis and stop messing around," Mr Finlay said.
The Minister of State for Children, Brendan Smith, expressed his surprise at Barnardos' claim that there was no statutory requirement regarding vetting. He said new regulations around the vetting of those working with pre-school children were statutory.
The ISPCC echoed the views of Barnardos and called for increased resources for the Garda vetting unit. Mr Smith said the unit had 33 staff with seven additional members due to join in coming weeks.
Dr McElwee was arrested in Amsterdam in June 2004 following an incident in a hotel there with four American tourists aged between 15 and 18.
He was in Amsterdam carrying out research into illicit drugs, commissioned and funded by the Midland Health Board under the auspices of the Regional Drugs Task Force.
He was accompanied on the fact finding visit by an Irish party which included a garda sergeant.
According to court documents, Dr McElwee propositioned one woman for sexual favours and got into bed semi-naked with another. He was convicted in Amsterdam in September 2005 of two counts of attempted indecent assault.
However, his employer was apparently never informed and he continued to work there until 12 days ago. At that point he admitted the offences to the institute after being contacted about the allegations by members of the media.
