Prof Philip Nolan leaves SFI amid misconduct allegations

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has announced that Professor Philip Nolan is no longer director general of the organisation.

In a short statement, a spokesperson confirmed that a new acting head was appointed yesterday.

“Professor Philip Nolan is no longer with Science Foundation Ireland. Following a board meeting yesterday, Dr Ciarán Seoighe was appointed as Acting Director General of Science Foundation Ireland.”

RTÉ News contacted Prof Nolan for comment on his departure. However, he said he is unable to speak publicly at this time.

The board of SFI was due to consider the findings of an investigation into five misconduct allegations made by staff members against Prof Nolan, which he has vehemently denied.

RTÉ News understands that the reports of misconduct were received in December 2023 and the SFI Board immediately established a Protective Disclosures Group (PDG).

SFI said it took the reporting and investigating of the allegations very seriously and was committed to the importance of a “fair thorough and robust process” for all parties.

An independent investigation conducted by a legal expert began in January 2024.

Initially the investigator spoke to all those involved before proceeding to an investigation under SFI’s whistleblowing policy and the Protection of Dignity at Work policy.

It is understood that an “extensive fact-finding investigation” was carried out before a report was submitted to the PDG at the end of March, which was then formally submitted to the board of SFI this month.

SFI said at all times the board followed the highest standards of corporate governance and has a comprehensive internal audit process.

SFI is a State-funded research agency and as part of its remit awards some €200 million in grants.

A spokesperson said that SFI is “fully operational and continues to deliver on its mandate to fund and support excellent and impactful research and innovation for the benefit of Ireland’s economy and society”.

Prof Nolan rose to public prominence as a high-profile member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) during the Covid-19 pandemic and was appointed Director General of SFI in October 2021.

At the time, Taoiseach Simon Harris, then minister for higher educaton, praised Prof Nolan for being “a constant and valued source of expertise in that role (NPHET), for which we owe him a lot.”

Prof Nolan also held the position of president of Maynooth University for ten years.