Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6769Assault and false imprisonment · 14 Sep 2018

Boy, 4, allegedly strapped to chair by teacher, High Court settlement

In September 2018, a four-and-a-half-year-old boy with speech and language difficulties was allegedly strapped to a chair by his teacher in the junior infants class at a rural school, soon after he started there. The school and the boy's mother reached a settlement without admission of liability, with the school strongly denying the claims. The High Court, through Mr Justice Alexander Owens, approved the settlement, and the case was reported on 3 April 2025. The settlement amount has not been disclosed, and the parties cannot be named by order of the court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A four-and-a-half-year-old boy with speech and language difficulties and dyslexia was allegedly strapped to a chair by his teacher in the junior infants class.
  • On 17 September 2018, the boy's mother and grandmother found him holding a metal rod in the back seat of the car, and he said 'they're very cross and I need it.'
  • Another parent called to the mother's home to say the child had been tied to a chair in the classroom.
Where
The alleged events took place at a rural school, and the county is not given.
When
  • The alleged strapping occurred in September 2018, soon after the boy started school.
  • The teacher allegedly admitted strapping the boy into the chair for an hour on Friday 14 September 2018 and all day on Monday 17 September 2018.
Other details
  • The chair had belt straps and appeared to have been left behind after use by another pupil with physical disabilities.
  • The principal said the straps were there so the boy would not fall out, as the chair was particularly light.
  • The boy was taken out of the school and enrolled in another school, where he settled in well.
  • The parties cannot be named by order of the court.
Investigation
A Garda investigation was discontinued after four adults gave statements saying the boy tied himself into the chair.
In court
  • The school and the boy's mother reached a settlement without admission of liability, and the school strongly denied the parents' claims.
  • Mr Justice Alexander Owens approved the settlement and noted a jury might have awarded more, including aggravated and exemplary damages.
  • Eanna Mulloy SC, instructed by Callan Tansey Solicitors, acted for the mother.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA four-and-a-half-year-old boy with speech and language difficulties and dyslexia was allegedly strapped to a chair by his teacher in the junior infants class. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe teacher allegedly admitted to strapping the boy into the chair for an hour on Friday 14 September and all day on Monday 17 September. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe chair had belt straps and appeared to have been left behind after use by another pupil with physical disabilities. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOn 17 September, the boy's mother and grandmother found him with a metal rod in his hand in the back seat of the car, and he said 'they're very cross and I need it.' (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAnother parent called to the mother's home to tell her the child had been tied to a chair in the classroom. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe principal said the straps were so the boy would not fall out as the chair was particularly light. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe boy was taken out and enrolled in another school where he settled in well. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged strapping occurred in September 2018, soon after the boy started school. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA Garda investigation was discontinued after four adults gave statements saying the boy tied himself into the chair. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA settlement was reached between the school and the boy's mother without admission of liability, and the school strongly denied the parents' claims. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Alexander Owens approved the settlement, noting a jury might have awarded more including aggravated and exemplary damages. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe mother's barrister was Eanna Mulloy SC, instructed by Callan Tansey Solicitors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the case as a 'quite extraordinary case' and said it was 'rather shocking that a child would be held in a chair on two days.' (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe parties cannot be named by order of the court. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Apr2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Boy, 4, allegedly strapped to chair by teacher soon after starting school

    High Court settlement approved by Mr Justice Alexander Owens; Garda investigation discontinued after four adults said the boy tied himself into the chair; settlement amount not divulged

    victim, 4, malesuspect