Ireland Mother summonsed over school absences of two girls in Rathkeale
In 2023 St Anne's National School in Rathkeale, County Limerick, referred the matter to Tusla after numerous absences by a 10-year-old girl, who attended on 92 of 178 school days that year. In 2024 she attended on 101 of 177 days, and her 7-year-old sister had a similar pattern. An attendance order issued to their mother was breached on March 4, and she was summonsed to Limerick District Court, sitting in Newcastle West, where she gave assurances the children would attend more regularly and said an older child has a rare health condition. The judge adjourned the matter until 6 May.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court8 Mar
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports13 statements extracted from the articles
- whereA 10-year-old girl attended St Anne’s National School in Rathkeale. (limerickpost.ie)
- causeAn attendance order issued to the girls' mother was breached on March 4. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationThe school referred the matter to Tusla in 2023 after numerous absences. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeThe girls' mother was summonsed to court because of the girls' absences from school. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeThe breach was the reason the girls' mother was summonsed to court. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Limerick District Court, sitting in Newcastle West. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter until 6 May. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherIn 2023 the 10-year-old girl attended school on 92 of 178 school days. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherIn 2024 the 10-year-old girl attended school on 101 of 177 school days. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherAfter the summons, the girls' absence rate fell from 78 per cent to around 25 per cent. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe mother said her older child has a rare health condition that leaves her very ill and at serious risk much of the time. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherFamily travel to Dublin, where the girls' father lives, was affecting school attendance. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe mother gave the court assurances that the children would attend school more regularly. (limerickpost.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Mar2025Court hears Limerick children missed almost eight out of every 10 school days
Court report on a mother summonsed for breaching a school attendance order. Gives the girls' attendance figures for 2023 and 2024, the school referral to Tusla, the mother's explanation, and the adjournment to 6 May.
accused