Pupil’s attendance rate at Limerick school improves following court prosecution
AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy who had only attended 180 days of school in his whole life - the equivalent of one school year - has now only missed four of the last 37, a court has heard.
The boy’s mother - who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child - was prosecuted by Tusla over her son’s non-attendance at a primary school in Limerick.
A court sitting last October heard the boy’s last day at school was in early 2020. On that date, Judge Patricia Harney said she was “deeply shocked” at the lack of school attendance. She said it would be a dereliction of her duty as a judge if she didn't take the “most serious view”.
Judge Harney said she would jail the mother and put her children into foster care “if it is the only way I can get the child to school”.
“My obligation is to your child. I will give you this opportunity (to send the boy to school). All I want is that child to have his chance. He is coming from a tremendous disadvantage and it will be very difficult to reintegrate. I want him to be supported every inch of the way,” said Judge Harney last year.
The mother’s solicitor gave a commitment that the boy would be in school on the following Monday. The case was adjourned to the end of April for an update.
At last week’s court sitting in Kilmallock, a Tusla employee said the boy has missed four of the last 37 days and three of the absences were due to sickness.
“It is a great improvement. He is getting on very well, engaging well, working hard and is well-liked by staff and students. We are happy with the attendance,” said the Tusla employee.
Judge Harney said he is a clever little boy and she asked if he is managing to catch up?
“He is a remarkably resilient young man. He partakes in everything,” said the Tusla employee.
Judge Harney she said was delighted to have some good news. However, she said she was reluctant to finalise matters and was holding onto the case with “a certain degree of tenacity”.
Judge Harney adjourned matters until July for a further update on the boy’s school attendance. She reiterated reporting restrictions on any information that could identify the child or his family.