Higher Education

UL officials ‘excluded’ from Rhebogue deal after challenging proposal

New report says treatment of those who challenged university’s €12 million purchase of 20 houses is ‘striking’

University of Limerick (pictured): college has been embroiled in controversy over acquisition of Rhebogue houses

Senior officials at the University of Limerick (UL) who challenged the college’s controversial €12 million purchase of 20 houses were subsequently excluded from involvement in the deal, a new report has found.

A report by Niamh O’Donoghue, a former civil servant, has said it is “striking” how those who raised concern over UL’s purchase of the Rhebogue properties – on which it has admitted spending €5 million over the odds – were treated.

The report, ...