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21 Oct 2025
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21 Oct 2025
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The university official had been placed on administrative leave for the past year
UNIVERSITY of Limerick (UL) chancellor Prof Brigid Laffan has confirmed the college has accepted the resignation of an official who led a €5.2m overspend on properties.
In an email to the college community, Prof Laffan stated Andrew Flaherty, UL's chief commercial officer had tendered his resignation.
This came into effect on Tuesday, May 27.
"The University has accepted that resignation. The chief commercial officer has also resigned from all directorships and offices associated with or connected to the university," the chancellor added in the email.
The college has declined to comment further, while the executive's profile had been removed from the college's website as of this Wednesday.
Mr Flaherty, pictured below, had held his role as chief commercial officer since October 2020. Prior to that, he was a human resources director at UL.
Prior to this, he had more than 20 years experience working for firms such as Generali, Utmost Pan Europe, GE, Aer Lingus, Chill, Genworth and Esat Digifone.
Mr Flaherty led UL's €12.65m purchase of 20 homes in Rhebogue which was criticised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and the Dail's public spending watchdog.
READ MORE: 'Heartbreaking' - Tributes paid after death of young University of Limerick GAA star
The C&AG said UL overspent €5.2m on the homes.
The houses remain the subject of a planning row between the university and council because there is no permission to house students in the properties. An Bord Pleanála is currently deliberating on the matter.
Mr Flaherty was placed on administrative leave last June after the then UL president Kerstin Mey resigned after students and staff expressed no confidence in her leadership.
She is no longer president, with that role still to be filled. Prof Shane Kilcommins is carrying out the role of president on an acting basis.
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