Friday 30 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. 17037Breach of the Education Welfare Act (school absence) · Co. Donegal

Parents summonsed over two Donegal children's school absences

An educational welfare inspector told Letterkenny District Court that two Donegal children had missed 120 of 154 school days in the current school year, and that in the previous year one was absent for 103 days and the other for 93 days. The two parents were summonsed to face prosecution for alleged breaches of the Education Welfare Act, and the hearing was reported on 5 June 2024. The father had been in court earlier that day but left before the case was heard, and his solicitor said he had gone to collect the children from school. The mother's solicitor said she was unable to attend court. The matter was adjourned until 18 July.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Both children missed 120 school days this year out of 154.
  • In the previous school year, one child was absent for 103 days and the other for 93 days.
Where
The case was heard at Letterkenny District Court.
When
The hearing was reported on 5 June 2024.
Investigation
An educational welfare inspector gave evidence to the court on the children's absence figures.
Charges
The two parents were summonsed for alleged breaches of the Education Welfare Act.
In court
  • The father was in court earlier in the day but left before the case was heard.
  • The matter was adjourned until 18 July.
Other details
  • The father's solicitor said he left court to collect the children from school.
  • The mother's solicitor said she was unable to be present in court.
  • The judge said every child has a right to education and parents have an obligation in that regard.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBoth children had missed 120 school days this year out of 154. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatIn the previous school year, one child was absent for 103 days and the other for 93 days. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe parents were summonsed for breaking the Education Welfare Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe father had been in court earlier in the day but left before the case was heard. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned until July 18. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe father's solicitor said he left to collect the children from school. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe mother's solicitor said she was unable to be present in court. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said every child has a right to education and parents have an obligation in that regard. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Jun2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal children absent 120 days in school year, court told

    Reports the court hearing: the inspector's evidence on absence figures, the father's departure from court, the mother's solicitor's absence, and the adjournment to 18 July.

    accused, maleaccused, female