Hutchinson (43) from Dunmore East, Co Waterford, attended the hearing before an inquiry panel via videolink from Loughan House open prison in Co Cavan where he is currently serving his prison sentence.

Burke claimed the ruling was “a grave and monumental error that a man who champions the 'they' pronoun will be allowed to chair a panel inquiry into me.”

A fitness-to-teach inquiry was scheduled to begin on Wednesday to consider allegations of professional misconduct against Burke.