Ireland Lecturer in High Court challenging suspension over alleged sexual activity in Galway
Nigel Roberts, a 59-year-old married father of two from Roscahill, Co Galway, who has lectured at the University of Galway's school of podiatric medicine since 2009, was suspended in early February 2022 after a colleague alleged to have heard noises suggestive of sexual activity from his office on 20 January 2022, when a female student visited for personal guidance. Roberts denies any sexual relations with the student, who confirmed to university-appointed investigators that no sexual activity occurred. The initial internal probe was stood down for departing from the course of natural justice, and a barrister was appointed to conduct the investigation. Roberts launched High Court proceedings in March 2023 challenging his suspension, which was mentioned before Justice Brian O'Moore and is due to return to court the following week.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Mar
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A female student visited Roberts' office on 20 January 2022 for personal guidance while extremely upset.
- A colleague with an adjoining office alleged to have heard noises suggestive of sexual activity from Roberts' office.
- Roberts denies having sexual relations with the student, who confirmed to university-appointed investigators that no sexual activity occurred.
- Where
- The incident took place at the University of Galway, school of podiatric medicine.
- When
- The incident occurred on 20 January 2022 and Roberts was suspended in early February 2022.
- Investigation
- The initial internal probe was stood down for departing from the course of natural justice, and a barrister was appointed to conduct the investigation.
- In court
- Roberts launched High Court proceedings in March 2023, represented by Oisín Quinn SC and Ray Ryan BL, before Justice Brian O'Moore.
- Other details
- Roberts is a 59-year-old married father of two from Roscahill, Co Galway, who has worked at the university since 2009.
- Under the terms of his suspension, Roberts is not allowed to attend the university and has been out of work for over a year.
- A colleague furnished Roberts with audio recordings of the events of the day in question.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe denies ever having sexual relations with the female student. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe colleague furnished him with audio recordings of the events of the day in question. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe has worked at the university since 2009 and has been out of work for more than a year. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRoberts denies having sexual relations with the student (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe student confirmed to university-appointed investigators that no sexual activity occurred (thejournal.ie)
- whatRoberts has been out of work for over a year (thejournal.ie)
- whatRoberts is a 59-year-old married father of two from Roscahill, Co Galway (thejournal.ie)
- whatRoberts has worked at the university since 2009 (thejournal.ie)
- whatA student visited Roberts' office in early 2022 for personal guidance while extremely upset (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe colleague furnished Roberts with audio recordings of the events of the day in question (thejournal.ie)
- whatRoberts claims the university has never properly articulated exactly what the allegation against him is (thejournal.ie)
- whatRoberts claims it is wrong to maintain his suspension where no actual complainant exists (thejournal.ie)
- whatUnder the terms of his suspension Roberts is not allowed to attend the university (thejournal.ie)
- whatRoberts' case has been the subject of an article in the national media (thejournal.ie)
- whenHe was suspended from his position in early February 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe student attended his office on 20 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenRoberts was suspended from his position in early February 2022 (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA barrister was appointed to investigate after an initial internal probe was stood down for departing from the course of natural justice. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA barrister was appointed to investigate after the initial internal probe was stood down for departing from the course of natural justice (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe is represented by Oisín Quinn SC and Ray Ryan BL in the High Court proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge permitted the lecturer to give the university short notice of the proceedings, which are due to return to court the following week. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRoberts is represented by Oisin Quinn SC with Ray Ryan Bl (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge granted permission to serve short notice on an ex-parte basis (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe matter will return before the High Court early the following week (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe is a 59-year-old married father-of-two from Roscahill, Co Galway. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Mar2023University of Galway lecturer challenges suspension over 'false accusation' of sexual activity
Provides further detail on the High Court proceedings: the matter was mentioned before Justice Brian O'Moore who granted ex-parte permission to serve short notice; Roberts' sworn statement details including his legal team (Oisin Quinn SC with Ray Ryan Bl), the student's confirmation to investigators that no sexual activity occurred, the initial internal probe being stood down for departing from natural justice, and a barrister being appointed to conduct the current investigation.
suspect, Nigel Roberts, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nigel Robertsvictim, female - 14 Mar2023University of Galway lecturer challenges suspension following ‘false accusation’ of sexual activity with student
First article reporting the High Court proceedings brought by Nigel Roberts against the University of Galway; the case was mentioned to Mr Justice Brian O'Moore on 14 March 2023 and is due to return to court the following week.
accused, Nigel Roberts, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nigel Robertsvictim, female