Galway couple face jail if their child continues to miss school in September
A judge has warned a County Galway couple that they will be jailed if their child continues to miss school in the next term.
Judge James Faughnan issued the warning at Ballinasloe District Court where parents were being prosecuted for failing to ensure their 13-year-old girl attended school.
The mother and father, from East Galway, were being prosecuted by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Since a School Attendance Notice (SAN) was issued in October of last year, the child has been absent from school on 76 days or 92% absenteeism.
Since the summons was issued, the child missed 59 days.
Judge Faughnan was told that since it was last before the court, the girl was missing 13 out of 23 days.
There was also non-engagement with various services including CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), the court heard.
She had graduated from sixth class in primary school and was due to begin secondary school this September.
Adjourning the matter to July, Judge Faughnan warned that the duo could be “on the back of a (prison) van to Dublin if she doesn’t turn up at secondary school”.