Courts / Kildare / Report

Teacher challenges council's decision to investigate him over social media posts

Date
2022-07-04

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

Mr Gearoid (Gerry) Johnson, a secondary school teacher with over 26 years of experience, has launched a High Court challenge against the Teaching Council. He seeks to quash the Council's decision to refer a complaint against him to its Disciplinary Committee. The complaint stems from social media posts made between 2015 and 2016 regarding Islam, homosexuality, and transgender issues, which were subsequently deleted. Mr Johnson denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the posts expressed personal views and did not constitute professional misconduct. He claims the Council breached his constitutional rights to freedom of expression and private life, arguing the referral was unlawful, irrational, and failed to follow fair procedures. The Council alleged he lacked commitment to equality and inclusion. Mr Johnson also disputes a prior dismissal by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (ETB) in 2020, which he claims was linked to the social media complaints and an alleged bullying investigation he denies. He states he has not been charged with any criminal offence. The case is at the pre-trial stage, with permission to bring the challenge granted on an ex-parte basis by Mr Justice Anthony Barr. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court in October.