"The woman was sentenced to one months' imprisonment by Judge David Kennedy in the District Court in May 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of truancy, relating to her 15-year-old son's failure to attend school. Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, parents are legally required to ensure their child attends school, with Tusla empowered to intervene when attendance falls below acceptable levels."
"The court heard that the mother had been summoned, but the matter was adjourned on several occasions to allow her to engage with Tusla and assist in getting the youth into full-time education. A Tusla welfare and education officer told the court that the organisation had recommended multiple recognised learning centres and alternative pathways, but had received no engagement from either the mother or the youth."
"Counsel for the accused, Eoghan Gallagher BL, told the court that significant issues were at play, including the question of what a parent can do if a child refuses to attend school. The teenager has been diagnosed with ADHD. Counsel outlined context for the family situation, noting that the youth's father has been barred from the family home and the mother is well known to the District Court."
A mother was sentenced to one months' imprisonment in May 2025 after pleading guilty to one count of truancy relating to her 15-year-old son's failure to attend school. Parents are legally required under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 to ensure school attendance, and Tusla may intervene with warnings and court proceedings. The court heard this was the eighth hearing and that primary attendance had been around 50 to 60 percent. Tusla recommended recognised learning centres and alternative pathways but reported no engagement from mother or youth. Counsel said the teenager has ADHD, the father is barred from the home, and transfer to secondary school failed. A judge warned about lifelong consequences of illiteracy.
Read at Irish Independent
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