A teacher who misled her co-workers out of more than €2,000 through a detailed scheme has had her name struck from the teachers’ register by order of the High Court.
This week, Mr Justice David Barniville upheld the Teaching Council’s penalty and further ruled that the woman cannot apply for reinstatement for five years, reports Breaking News.
The court has ordered that the teacher, the school and the victims must not be identified.
The Teaching Council’s disciplinary committee determined that several of the claims were proven and amounted to professional misconduct, reports Breaking News.
According to the panel, the teacher’s behaviour was disgraceful, and she had taken advantage of her colleagues through a deception that was methodical and thoroughly planned.
Presenting the Teaching Council’s application, Brian Gageby BL told the court that in 2021 the teacher offered reduced-price goods to her coworkers, which included two SNAs and another teacher, but the items were never delivered, reports Breaking News.
One SNA transferred €375 for products that never arrived, another sent €545, and a teacher colleague handed over €1,202 to purchase items.
Counsel stated that one SNA had hoped to surprise her son at Christmas with a P, S5, and the teacher claimed she could source it cheaper, but the goods she paid for never appeared, reports Breaking News.
Another SNA wanted gifts for both her birthday and Christmas, and the teacher claimed she had contacts working in a tech firm and a toy retailer.
Counsel explained that by December 23rd of that year, the items still had not been received, forcing the SNA to borrow funds to buy the gifts elsewhere, reports Breaking News.
Counsel added that the three victims had limited financial means, and the teacher had enticed them with supposedly discounted items.
Mr Gageby said there was an “insidious element” in that when the teacher was questioned by the coworkers who had paid her, she continued to “go deeper in the lie”, reports Breaking News.
The disciplinary panel found that the misconduct was extremely serious, describing the scheme as detailed and intentionally crafted.
It further observed that the teacher showed a troubling absence of empathy for those she had deceived, reports Breaking News.
The panel highlighted how intricate the hoax had been, also noting the teacher’s ability to prolong the deception.
The court was told that the money has since been repaid, reports Breaking News.
Mr Justice Barniville said he was convinced that the sanction was justified and was the only appropriate outcome given the serious nature of the case.
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