University College Dublin’s president, Prof Andrew Deeks, has faced strong criticism of the university’s handling of the Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin sexual harassment case from members of its governing authority, The Irish Times has learned. The authority spent an hour on Thursday morning discussing the fallout from the Ní Shúilleabháin controversy and heard calls for a permanent expert group to handle any future cases of sexual harassment on campus. Prof Deeks defended the university’s handling of the case, claiming that the full facts had not been put into the public domain due to the sensitivities and confidentialities involved, sources have told The Irish Times. Review groupAn independent review group must be established to examine sexual harassment allegations, a number of governors declared, though such a body must include independent non-UCD representatives. Extra supports will be given to those who complain about sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, even if a formal complaint is not made, under the proposals, while UCD will clarify the rules that govern the reporting of informal complaints to the Garda.

Source: The Irish Times September 12, 2020 00:00 UTC