‘Paddywagon’ threat to truant boy’s mother

A JUDGE has told a mother that to deprive children of education ‘is child abuse of the worst kind’.

Judge Patrick Durcan told the mother, at Kilrush District Court, that if she didn’t address her 14-year-old child’s absenteeism from school, he would be sending her off to Limerick prison in a ‘Paddywagon’.

When the mother began to weep Judge Durcan told her: ‘I know you’re upset. I don’t do upset. What I am trying to do is to protect the children.’

He said that he wanted the case brought back before him on a fortnightly basis in order to monitor it closely. The woman has pleaded guilty to a charge, under the Education Welfare Act, of failing to cause her child to attend school on April 17 last and subsequent days. The solicitor for Tusla – the Child and Family Agency, Kevin Sherry, told the court that there is a ‘chronic history of absenteeism in relation to the child who is 14 and is in third year’.

Judge Durcan asked that the mother come towards the bench and he told her: ‘What I have read in the report from the CFA and what Mr Sherry has outlined to me now is nothing short of appalling.’

He said: ‘It is child abuse of the worst kind, that is what is being outlined to me. To use those words indicates in our society one particular thing but in the view of this court, child abuse can arise in many ways.’

He said: ‘To deprive a child of education or to ensure that a child doesn’t get education is child abuse of the worst kind.’

Judge Durcan said: ‘You are the one who has the responsibility, you are the one if you don’t get this matter resolved, you will leave this court-house in a Paddywagon and go to Limerick prison.’ He adjourned the case until Friday week, September 28.