The Junior Dean, Tim Trimble, has cleared Sean Ryan of claims of sexual harassment, that were made against him during the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) elections. He was accused of sexually harassing a woman in 2016 and 2017.
Ryan, who ran for the position of President during the TCDSU elections, pulled out of the race following the allegations.
Ryan posted a screenshot of an email from Trimble on his campaign page this afternoon. In the email, Trimble informed Ryan that he had investigated the complaint and that “there was no case to answer”.
“The case is therefore closed with no further action”, the email finished. Ryan posted the screenshot alongside a statement thanking Trimble and his tutor.
“I would like to thank the Junior Dean’s office for their thorough investigation and my tutor for his guidance and assistance during the process”, said Ryan in the post.
Under the post, communications and marketing candidate Niall Harty, who was narrowly defeated by Paraic McLean, commented: “Sue TN.” During the campaign, Harty was critical of student media.
The allegations came to light in an article by Trinity News published on the second day of voting during the elections. Ryan decided to resign from the race the following day, with a statement released on his campaign’s Facebook page, saying he rejected the complaints made against him, but apologised “unreservedly” for any offence he may have caused.
Note: This article was edited at 21.30 on 25/11/2018 in response to a legal complaint by Sean Ryan.
