Finances of Cork city Gaelscoil under examination after complaint

The finances of a Cork city gaelscoil have been examined by a Government body after a complaint was made.

Last month, a group of parents removed nearly 100 children from Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers on Redemption Rd due to concerns over health and safety.

The Echo understands that those children are currently back in the school, which is being led on an interim basis by another staff member.

Principal Adrian Breathnach is out on stress leave due to accusations that he was under the influence of alcohol during the school day.

Mr Breathnach said in a statement issued to The Echo recently that he had been the victim of an “orchestrated campaign” after forgetting to bring his vertigo medication to school, leaving him disorientated.

“I can categorically say that the allegations against me that I was under the influence of alcohol in school on Tuesday 14 April are completely untrue and unfounded,” he said, before adding that he was currently out on stress leave due to the situation.

Prior to this incident, a report into the school’s finances and general operation was commissioned by the Department of Education and posted out to the school’s board of management at the start of March.

The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) is a Department of Education-funded body that provides financial advice, training, and support to schools and ensures they comply with legislation.

After a disclosure was made by a staff member, the FSSU undertook an examination of the school’s finances.

A department spokesperson told The Echo that it does not comment on individual cases.

“The Financial Support Services Unit is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, and it routinely provides support and advice to large volumes of schools each year,” they added.

In response to a freedom of information request by The Echo for the FSSU report, they said: “Records held by the FSSU do not fall under the remit of the Freedom of Information Act, and you cannot seek them from any department or body under that act.”

The Echo contacted the school and board of management for comment.