Fionnán Sheahan: Sacking of SFI chief Professor Philip Nolan exposes deep divisions in state research agency

Prof Nolan temporarily overturns his dismissal in the High CourtBoard says ‘only basis’ for terminating employment was terms of contractFormer Nphet head won’t return to work before hearing, but will have email access

Who is Philip Nolan?

Fionnán Sheahan

He started the week as head of the organisation and ended it asking for his email to be switched back on.

Professor Philip Nolan is reinstated as chief of the state research agency – for now. But he will not physically return to work while awaiting his High Court application, which is pencilled in for 10 days’ time.