A dismissed Co Kildare teacher claimed there was a "policy of isolation" at his school for years prior to his dismissal, an Employment Appeals Tribunal has heard.
Mr Gerard Moore, who was dismissed from Holy Child National School, Naas, Co Kildare, in August 1999, yesterday claimed this policy amounted to a form of bullying.
He is claiming unfair dismissal against the school's board of management, which dismissed him because of "conduct and attitude".
The board of management had sought the sanction of the Bishop of Kildare, Dr Laurence Ryan, to dismiss Mr Moore. A delegation was established by the bishop to hear Mr Moore's defence against his dismissal.
It recommended Mr Moore keep his job, and the board and bishop's delegation offered him a package, a condition of which was that Mr Moore must not return to the school.
Mr Moore subsequently wrote to the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) on May 31st, 1999, outlining his opinions on the new package. He deleted the reference to not returning to work in the school, as well as making other amendments, the tribunal heard.
A copy of this letter, with a covering note, was sent to the bishop. In June 1999, the INTO wrote to Mr Moore four times, seeking clarification of what exactly he wanted in the package offered. The arrival of all these letters was harassment, said Mr Moore.
Earlier yesterday, he denied allegations his turning up for work the day after he was suspended was an attempt to undermine the board of management's authority.
While he had previously ignored requests to attend disciplinary hearings, Mr Moore said he attended a meeting with the board on January 25th, 1999, "as a conciliatory gesture, under a flag of truce".
He said he had over 21 years of teaching left to go and he wanted to complete them.
The hearing continues today.