A disciplinary appeals panel is convening today to consider an appeal by the secondary school teacher Enoch Burke.
Mr Burke was dismissed from his job as a teacher at Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath in January 2023.
The dispute with the school began in May 2022 when staff were told by the then principal to use a new name for a pupil and they/them pronouns.
Mr Burke said he could not do this and objected at a staff meeting and publicly at a school church service.
He was suspended and subsequently dismissed over his conduct.
Mr Burke has appealed his dismissal and the panel today will consider that appeal.
The appeal panel is made up of an independent chairperson from a panel nominated by the Minister for Education and Skills, as well as a representative of the recognised management body, and a nominee of the relevant teacher union.
Mr Burke, who is currently in prison for contempt of court, was transported by gardaí to Athlone for today's hearing.
His family is also in attendance.
Enoch Burke had made a legal effort to get the hearing suspended, as he wanted an outstanding issue being dealt with by the Supreme Court to be ruled on before the disciplinary panel hearing went ahead.
Yesterday the Court of Appeal refused his application to delay it, meaning it could go ahead this morning.
