Open competition for appointment of new University of Limerick president 12 months after resignation

TWELVE months on from the resignation of Professor Kerstin Mey as president of University of Limerick a permanent replacement still has not been appointed.

The Limerick Leader contacted the university to ask where the university stands in terms of an appointment. Prof Mey resigned on June 14, 2024 after students and staff expressed no confidence in her leadership. She had gone on sick leave at the end of the previous March.

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A spokesperson said the University of Limerick’s Governing Authority unanimously supported the appointment of Prof Shane Kilcommins as acting president of UL following the resignation of Prof Kerstin Mey.

“Prof Kilcommins is fully empowered and is actively leading the university, ensuring continuity across the university’s academic and operational functions.

“There will be an open competition for the appointment of the president of UL. The Governing Authority will lead the search and selection process, and is currently advancing this work,” said the UL spokesperson.

Representatives of the university appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last October to answer questions regarding significant overspending on a former Dunnes Stores site in the city centre, housing and  a student portal.

PAC were told that Prof Mey was currently on a paid twelve month sabbatical while also being internally investigated. 

Members of the committee were also told that the  former president is preparing to return to UL as Professor of Visual Culture of which no course or department  existed at the time.

Andrew Flaherty, UL's chief commercial officer since 2020, tendered his resignation last month.