Dr Hegarty has an unusual background for a Trinity provost. He is a former Maynooth seminarian, in a college which elected its first Catholic provost only 13 years ago.

He spent several years studying for the priesthood at Maynooth in the 1960s, but says it was "not for me". Instead, blinded by science, he took to studying physics, eventually emerging with a PhD from NUI Galway. Since then he has produced more than 140 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.

Now 55, he was elected provost over three years ago. He has the bearing of an academic researcher. He is cool and unflappable.

Hegarty, his wife and two sons, aged 13 and 21, live at one of the city's most exclusive addresses -

1 Grafton Street. The magnificent residence, which dates to 1760, contains a valuable art collection and some of the most beautiful rooms in the country. These days his eldest son keeps a den below stairs, where, one imagines, a small army of housekeepers and butlers once worked.

From Claremorris, Co Mayo, Hegarty, won the election for provost by a comfortable margin in the final round of voting.

The scale of his victory surprised observers as Hegarty is a low-key, quietly spoken figure who would not seem a natural on the hustings.

He benefited from his high-profile post as Dean of Research. Hegarty was seen as the man largely responsible for TCD's success in raising millions in research grants.

This success was the main advantage he carried into the election. As one college source put it at the time: "He was seen by many as the man who made Trinity rich in terms of research money, so many staff said 'maybe he can do it again on the bigger stage'."

On his election, he said: "I like taking action and getting things done quickly and without too much fuss."

Hegarty is known to see himself as a hands-on manager, immersed in the people and the ideas that are at the heart of a university. His critics see him differently - as a somewhat remote and distant figure. In essence, his critics accuse him of concentrating on bureaucracy and cost-cutting, at the expense of leadership and vision.

The current dispute over his plans has raised the temperature in the college. At present, feelings are running high and Hegarty is bearing the brunt of some very severe criticism.

But if there are critics, there is also no shortage of ardent supporters. The Hegarty camp see him as a modern, effective figure who has both the leadership and the management skills required to lead the college through a difficult period. Make no mistake, said one, Hegarty will leave a lasting impression on Trinity. He is someone who will get things done and make a difference.