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Mother jailed for keeping kids off school
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 18/01/2013.
Tags: Parenting Parenting KidsA Dublin mother has been sentenced to 28 days in jail for failing to ensure her three children attended school.
The woman, who has not been named, allowed her children to miss more than one-third of the school term since September.
Blanchardstown District Court heard how the woman would keep her daughters at home saying they had colds and flu, but did not seek doctors' notes to substantiate these claims.
In her defence, the mother told the court one of the girls was being bullied, but the National Educational Welfare Board (NERB) - who brought the prosecution - said it could find no evidence to support this allegation.
Solicitor Orla Farrell said the offences were "not from wilful neglect in parenting terms, but she is sometimes overly indulgent with her children when they present with illness".
Two of the girls are in primary school, while the eldest daughter is in secondary education.
Judge David McHugh said he had "no hesitation" in activating a suspended sentence handed to the woman previously for keeping her children at home.
A warrant was also issued for the arrest of the girls' father after he failed to appear at the court to answer similar charges.
Written by Donal Walsh.
vonnie
(25-01-2013 14:45)
I kept my 2 children home from school for 3 weeks because of bullying towards my oldest daughter in primary school because of the schools refusal to address the problem effectively and I notified the school what I was doing and the dept of education also. It got to the point where the bullying was continuing and the minders who were supposed to be looking after the ypunger kids at breaktime attempted to drag my child indoors against her will, led me to this decision. They were friendly with the bully. These girls were much older and bigger than my child. the school investigated my accusation but found no evidence. This happened after numerous bullying episodes with the child who was bulling my child. It was the final straw. I told the school I WOULD NOT allow my children back until the matter was dealt with effectively. Wether this Mom was attempting the same I am noy sure but when bullying is ongoing and the school and not addressing the problem, a person feels hopeless and desperate
Anna Ryan
(24-01-2013 00:13)
Its ridiculous a parent should have the rights over their children's education.