The INTO last night questioned the independence of a report by consultants on the Marino teacher training college in Dublin.
This follows the acknowledgment by the consultants, Farrell Grant Sparks (FGS), that they were requested by Marino management not to interview Caoimhe Máirtín. Ms Máirtín, the former head of Coláiste Mhuire - the teacher training facility at the Marino Institute of Education (MIE) - secured a €500,000 out of court settlement last year after claiming bullying and harassment at the Christian Brothers-run college.
In a separate development, new evidence has emerged showing how Marino management was warned by eight members of staff about serious bullying at the college over a lengthy period in 2004 and last year. This information appears to contradict claims by some figures in Marino that they were not extensively briefed about the problem.
FGS was commissioned by the Marino institute trustees to examine allegations of bullying and misappropriation of State funds within the college. The report - described as "independent" by the institute - cleared the college of all allegations. The new evidence comes in the forms of letters and e-mails from eight members of staff to the trustees. A letter from the eight staff members - the management team at Coláiste Mhuire - dated May 2004, expresses concern about the climate in the college which is "threatening the health of staff". This letter was also sent to four Christian Brothers at the institute - Brother David Gibson, Brother Michael Murray, Brother John Burke and Brother Michael Reynolds.
Further e-mails in March 2005 describe "the grave deterioration in the well-being and health of staff" over the past number of months. The correspondence expresses concern that the trustees have refused to deal with the issue, "rather you have referred us to governance structures", ie the governing body of the institute.The letters and e-mails were sent by Caoimhe Máirtín; Pádraig Ó Ceannain, the head of teaching practice; Aodán Mac Suibhhne, the head of Irish; Éilish Hurley, the registrar; Colm Ó Laoire, an IT professional; and three lecturers, Nóirín Kavanagh, Seán Delaney and Gene Mac hUigín.
Last night, John Carr, the INTO general secretary, said both FGS and the Marino trustees had serious questions to answer.
"FGS, having now admitted that the company was specifically told not to interview Caoimhe Máirtín, must clarify why they did not interview the INTO. Were they told not to do so? If so by whom? Were there other bodies or individuals that they were instructed not to interview?" Mr Carr asked.
The Marino Institute has appointed Eileen Doyle as a facilitator to try and resolve the dispute at the college. Ms Doyle chaired the Government taskforce on bullying in the workplace.
