BREAKING: University of Limerick chancellor calls special meeting of all students and staff

THE CHANCELLOR of University of Limerick (UL) has called a meeting of all staff and students for this Thursday lunchtime.

It comes as pressure continues to mount on the college's president Prof Kerstin May after it emerged the institution lost €5.2m paying inflated prices for 20 homes in Rhebogue last year.

The news of the financial loss, which emerged in an email to staff and students on Friday last, has caused significant anger among the college population - both staff and students.

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Now, in an email sent to staff and students shortly after 3pm this Tuesday afternoon - and seen by Limerick Live - John Kelly, UL corporate secretary has confirmed the university chancellor, Brigid Laffan, will be on campus later this week and would like to meet with staff and students. The email was addressed to all UL staff and students.

Mr Kelly wrote that the chancellor "would like to take this opportunity to meet with you in the University Concert Hall."

The meeting is set for 1.30pm.

Separately, the governing authority of UL is due to meet on the same afternoon.

Professor Eoin Devereux, the convenor of the only trade union on campus, UL Unite, which has 900 members, has encouraged attendance at the meeting in the Concert Hall.

In a separate email to union members this Tuesday afternoon, he wrote: "As convenor, I would strongly encourage all of you to attend this meeting with the chancellor on Thursday".

UL Unite members this Monday said they no longer had confidence in the leadership of Prof Mey. They also called for an investigation to take place into who is responsible for the overspend on the homes, which are occupied by third-level students.