An urgent investigation into how a childcare specialist was allowed to remain in his academic post for two years after he was convicted of sex offences was ordered yesterday by Minister of State for Children Brendan Smith.
Dr Niall McElwee resigned last week from his post at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) after the disclosure that he has a conviction for attempted indecent assault in the Netherlands.
Mr Smith yesterday asked the Health Service Executive to investigate after it emerged that both the Garda and the Midland Health Board had been made aware of the incident in 2004 which led to Dr McElwee's conviction.
It was also learned yesterday that Dr McElwee was warned seven years ago about using explicit pictures of sexually abused children during his lectures. He was teaching at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) at the time.
He was recruited in 2001 by Athlone Institute of Technology as director of its Centre for Child and Youth Care Learning.
Three years after assuming that post, he was in Amsterdam carrying out research when he was involved in an incident in a hotel room with four American females aged between 15 and 18.
He propositioned one woman for sexual favours and got into bed with another when semi-naked. He was convicted in an Amsterdam court a year later on two counts of attempted indecent assault.
It was disclosed yesterday that a Garda sergeant was part of Dr McElwee's travelling party to Amsterdam. The group was in the Netherlands to carry out research into illicit drug use and treatment options. The trip was funded by the former Midland Health Board under the auspices of the Regional Drugs Task Force.
The Garda sergeant became aware of the incident within hours and gave assistance to the Dutch authorities. He made the Garda authorities aware of what had taken place. According to a Garda statement yesterday, the sergeant also met a representative of the former Midland Health Board and informed him of the incident.
AIT last night said it was never made aware of the matter by the health board. A spokeswoman also said the matter regarding the explicit photographs had not been brought to its attention during Dr McElwee's recruitment in 2001.
In a statement, the HSE said it was "looking into all the circumstances surrounding the issue in question". Mr Smith said he had asked the HSE to "report to him urgently".
The warning to Dr McElwee while he was lecturing at WIT was issued after students complained to the South Eastern Health Board about his use of explicit photographs. The HSE confirmed yesterday that the board had contacted Dr McElwee to ensure the material would not be used again.