Papers-blunder supervisor flees home to escape media attention
THE suspended supervisor at the centre of the €1m Leaving Cert debacle fled the glare of the media spotlight last night as 50,000 students prepared to sit the rescheduled English exam today.
Neighbours yesterday said Patrick Curran, a retired teacher in his 60s, has left his home in Dundalk until the controversy dies down.
Mr Curran's failure to alert the State Examinations Commission that he had handed out paper 2 instead of paper 1 on Wednesday led to the exam having to be switched to this morning at a cost of €1m.
Former colleagues of the retired teacher leapt to his defence yesterday, saying his mistake was a simple case of human error.
Admit
But the State Examinations Commission confirmed he did not admit the blunder when one of its officials had visited the exam centre in St Oliver's Community College, Drogheda, Co Louth, on Wednesday morning.
"No matters of concern were brought to his attention by the Superintendent in the centre in question," the commission said.
It said its Examination and Assessment Manager who visited the college had acted in accordance with the checklist provided to ensure that the examinations were conducted as appropriate.
Mr Curran retired from the De La Salle secondary school in Dundalk two years ago.
A number of his former pupils spoke out on his behalf last night.
One student described him as a "mathematical genius and a very nice man" on boards.ie.
De La Salle principal Martin Brennan, who is a long-term colleague of Mr Curran, called the mistake an unfortunate human error.
"It had the effect of unsettling many students, but I think this week showed that we have to give credit to the good sense, reactions and maturity of our young people who adapted and adjusted to the situation very well," he said.
He said Mr Curran was a teacher in the school for over 30 years and described him as a consummate professional.
"He is extremely well respected by all staff and students here at the school and he made a major contribution to the development of the school."
Mr Brennan said Mr Curran had to make a judgment call at the time and was doing his best for the students.
He also said Mr Curran's commitment to the school could be gauged from the fact that he returned without pay to coach basketball and run leagues after he had retired from teaching.
"His family are devastated by what has happened and they should be left alone to cope with it," he said.
Neighbours of Mr Curran also and said such a mistake was most unlike him.
"He's a good man, and a good neighbour," said one neighbour who did not wish to be named.
"But it's not like him, a mistake like that. He's usually very precise and wouldn't do something like that."
- Fiach Kelly and John Walshe
