Former Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) leader Senator Joe O'Toole yesterday claimed to have uncovered evidence of a "planned and structured" plot to undermine the former president of Coláiste Mhuire teacher training college in Marino, Dublin.
Caoimhe Máirtín resigned from her post last week amid allegations of bullying and abuse at the college. But speaking in the Seanad, Senator O'Toole said he had discovered an e-mail which he said had been sent by Dermod Dwyer, of property development company Treasury Holdings.
Mr Dwyer sits on the board of governors of the Marino Institute of Education (MIE), which oversees Coláiste Mhuire.
"I have come across an e-mail which says to members of the board, slowly slowly catchy monkey," Senator O'Toole said. " obviously makes clear to me that there was a planned, structured and vicious programme of harassment and bullying and intimidation that forced the resignation...of a fantastic educationalist and leader."
There was some confusion last night as to whether or not Mr Dwyer had confirmed he was the author of the e-mail. RTÉ reported yesterday that Mr Dwyer had told it he had written the e-mail. But a statement last night from Mr Dwyer stressed that he served in a private capacity as a "pro-bono member on the MIE board". It stated he had "not seen the correspondence referred to, nor has he any knowledge of its content or context".
"If indeed it concerns him at all, then it could only have been in an informal private and personal exchange."
"Mr Dwyer states that, to his full knowledge, there never was a plan, as mischievously alleged."
But Senator O'Toole said last night he was standing over the e-mail and challenged Mr O'Dwyer to discuss the issue publicly.