Professor to appeal challenge dismissal

Mr Conall Fanning, a professor of economics at University College Cork, is to appeal a High Court decision dismissing his challenge…

Mr Conall Fanning, a professor of economics at University College Cork, is to appeal a High Court decision dismissing his challenge to UCC's initiation of disciplinary proceedings which followed an investigation into an alleged assault by Mr Fanning on a female colleague.

At the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Lavan awarded costs of the High Court proceedings against Mr Fanning.

He also refused to continue an order preventing publication of the outcome of UCC's investigation into the allegation against Mr Fanning.

In dismissing Mr Fanning's proceedings last week, Mr Justice Lavan had described Mr Fanning's evidence in the case as "totally lacking in candour and clarity". He added that he doubted if he had ever heard another witness who was less convincing.

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Mr Fanning had challenged UCC's initiation of disciplinary proceedings following an investigation into an alleged assault by him in August 2001 against Ms Joan Buckley, a colleague in the language department.

The incident allegedly occurred in a college staff car park on August 31st, 2001, when Prof Fanning allegedly grabbed the woman around the neck and throat arising from his concern over the safety of his dog and the woman's driving. behaviour. He denied any assault.

Yesterday Mr Ian Finlay SC, for UCC, applied for his costs against Mr Fanning, particularly, counsel said, in view of the basis on which the judge had arrived at his decision.

Mr Tom Mallon, for Mr Fanning, said he had specific instructions that the matter should be appealed and asked that any orders the judge might make be stayed pending that appeal.

Mr Fanning was on a fixed income and was not a man of unlimited means, he added.