University of Limerick president goes on sick leave amid calls for her resignation

The president of the University of Limerick Professor Kerstin Mey, has gone on sick leave, it is understood, amid mounting pressure on her to resign following the revelation that the university overspent by more than €5m on housing.

According to sources, and reports on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Professor Mey went on sick leave on Wednesday.

The university of Limerick declined to comment on the matter when contacted this Thursday morning.

Pressure has been mounting on Professor Mey after it emerged the institution lost €5.2m after paying inflated prices for 20 homes in Rhebogue, close to its campus in Limerick city, last year. 

Professor Mey has been asked to consider her position by a number of groups including members of the college's executive committee.

In an unusual step, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has requested that UL's governing authority conduct a review of matters related to the purchase of a number of houses adjacent to its campus.

Minister of State Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with responsibility for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins said under the Universities Act, universities are independent in their operation and governance.

Speaking to Limerick Live this Thursday morning, Mr Collins said: "It is a matter for the UL Governing Authority to deal with these issues, however, the HEA has a statutory remit to oversee our third level sector given that public monies are given to our universities and where issues arise in the public interest they can step in and investigate."

The move by the HEA comes as the chancellor of University of Limerick (UL) Brigid Laffan prepares to hold a meeting of all staff and students this Thursday afternoon.

In a letter sent to the chancellor by the sole trade union on campus, UL Unite - which represents almost 900 workers - they demanded an investigation be undertaken “to identify those involved in this debacle and hold them accountable for this waste of money”.

Separately, the governing authority of UL is due to meet later this Thursday afternoon.

It is understood a report on the Rhebogue transaction has been completed by an outside independent former high ranking civil servant.