A public inquiry into whether a science lecturer is unfit to hold office concluded in his absence yesterday.
John Riney left the inquiry, in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, in protest for a second day, claiming not to recognise the proceedings. He was followed shortly afterwards by his wife and daughter.
The inquiry has been set up under the direction of Minister for Education Mary Hanafin.
Mr Riney has been a lecturer in biochemistry at Letterkenny Institute of Technology for more than 30 years. He was suspended from his post after he was convicted of assault in the District Court.
Alleging he was being subjected to a prejudicial hearing, Mr Riney accused college barrister Peter Nolan of "calling him a thief, liar and threatening" him.
He demanded that solicitor Séamus Given, barrister Peter Nolan and chairman Niall Beirne "attach and commit" themselves.
There were heated scenes as Mr Nolan accused Mr Riney of talking "absolute nonsense", and Mr Riney and his daughter shouted across the room. It was a few minutes before order was restored and Mr Riney left the inquiry.
Mrs Riney asked to speak on behalf of her husband. She maintained that Mr Riney should be granted an adjournment in "the interest of natural justice", whether her husband recognised the fact or not.
She made several allegations against Mr Nolan, who threatened to take out a personal lawsuit against the Riney family if they persisted in what he described as their assault on his character. The hearing was adjourned at 10.30am to allow Mrs Riney time to speak to her husband and ascertain if he intended to return or if he wished his wife to act on his behalf in a request for an adjournment.
Mr Riney had refused to answer the chairman four times when he had asked if he sought an adjournment in order to consider the 400-page book of documents presented as evidence against him.
The Riney family failed to return to the inquiry. Evidence was heard from the director of Letterkenny Institute of Technology Paul Hannigan; Colm Morrow, secretary and financial controller, and human resources manager Shay Henry.
All gave evidence that Mr Riney had refused to teach classes and been absent without authority when he was imprisoned for 22 days in October 2002.
Mr Riney had been issued with a written warning and was eventually suspended in April 2003, although he refuses to recognise the terms of his suspension and attended the college on Monday during the course of the inquiry.
Mr Beirne is to compile a report for the consideration of Ms Hanafin, who will make the decision whether to dismiss Mr Riney from his post.