Judge orders arrest of mother who dodged prosecution over child missing school

Tom Tuite

A judge has ordered the arrest of a Dublin mother who repeatedly dodged prosecution after her child missed school on almost 90 per cent of days in a year.

The woman had been summonsed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to face prosecution at Dublin District Court for breaking the Education (Welfare) Act by not complying with official warnings about school attendance.

Judge Anthony Halpin noted that it was the fourth date the woman had failed to turn up to court, and the case involved concerns over several of her children missing school.

A Tusla solicitor said that one had missed every day since the new term began a few weeks ago and was absent for 87 days in the previous school year.

The court heard "this is the fourth time and no appearance", but Tusla was prepared to give the woman a "final opportunity to engage".

However, Judge Halpin noted the amount of days missed by one of the children and issued a bench warrant to have gardaí arrest her and bring her before the court to face the charges.

The children's father did not attend court either but had contacted Tusla to say he had a medical appointment.

Judge Halpin noted he had an excuse and adjourned his case in his absence on medical grounds but ordered him to face court on a date in October.

They have yet to enter pleas to the charges, and the attendance rate of the other children has yet to be outlined in court.

The minimum school-leaving age is 16 years, or the completion of three years of post-primary education.

The penalty on the first conviction is a fine of up to €1,000 and a possible one-month sentence per charge.