20 teachers struck off in past five years
Based on data from the Teaching Council of Ireland obtained by the Sunday Independent, 20 teachers have been struck off the register over the past five years.
During the 2025/26 academic year, eight teachers were struck off by the High Court, the highest annual total in five years, with one additional case pending at the High Court.
A total of 65 complaints against teachers were reviewed, with 15 being dismissed, while 49 remain in progress or under investigation.
A teacher was struck off for 30 years after having sex with a student under 17.
Secondary teacher Joanne Clarke was named and struck off following an affair with a student that began around his Leaving Certificate exams.
A principal was removed for 15 years after inappropriately touching a student teacher.
Soliciting money
A primary-school teacher was banned for five years after repeatedly soliciting money from a Special Needs Assistant via Revolut for unreceived goods, and failing to repay a €1,000 loan from the school board.
A Cork teacher was struck off for ten years after submitting 25 job applications containing false details about his qualifications, experience, and registration status.
One case involves an Irish teacher struck off in Britain, which remains under an active fitness-to-teach review in Ireland.
Complaints about teachers must generally be raised with the school first unless a child or vulnerable person is at risk, in which case An Garda Síochána and Tusla must be notified immediately.