A teacher accused of professional misconduct has admitted making false claims about holding a teaching position at a Cork primary school in applying for teaching jobs in the Far East because he wanted to be able to live in Thailand to be with his son.

Colm McCarthy appeared before a fitness-to-teaching inquiry of the Teaching Council on Thursday in relation to false claims he had made about working as a teacher at Carrigaline Educate Together National School in Carrigaline, Co. Cork, in job applications for vacant teaching posts in Thailand and Myanmar.

The teacher faced other charges of professional misconduct over allegations that he provided false references purporting to be from the principal of Carrigaline ETNS when applying for such jobs.

Mr McCarthy – who comes originally from Douglas, Cork – also faced allegations that he knowingly provided false e-mail addresses for the school’s principal, Imelda Thornton and vice-principal, Christine O’Brien as referee contact details in CVs submitted with job applications.

He apologised to the Teaching Council’s disciplinary committee, claiming he had “no option” about what he did and was “looking for a way out.” Mr McCarthy explained he had a son living in Thailand at the time and wanted to go back there.

Pleading for leniency, he added: “That is why I lied.

It was a stupid thing to do. I let myself down. Desperate people do desperate things.

Mr McCarthy claimed he had got advice which he should have ignored.

Mr McCarthy said...

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