In a recent development, Professor Philip Nolan is appealing a judge's refusal to extend an injunction preventing his dismissal from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). The judge, Mr. Justice Rory Mulcahy, discharged his earlier order that secured Prof Nolan's director general position with SFI. SFI has requested to be awarded its legal costs, but the judge agreed that the issue of legal fees should follow the outcome of the substantial trial of the case. Prof Nolan intends to appeal the judge's decision of last June 21st, which refused to grant an injunction that would have lasted until his case concludes. The judge stated that the director general contract permitted the SFI board to dismiss Prof Nolan 'for no reason at all'. Prof Nolan received a letter of dismissal on May 27th following an investigation into claims made against him by five senior staff members. SFI argues that Prof Nolan was not owed fair procedures because he was dismissed pursuant to his contract terms after presiding over a period of dysfunction. It is worth noting that Prof Nolan has been appointed CEO-designate of Research Ireland, a planned merger of SFI and the Irish Research Council [d87848f9].