‘Snorting’ video pupils can return to school – judge

TWO Leaving Cert students facing expulsion for videoing and posting on social media a classmate snorting some white powder will be allowed to return to school.

Details of the incident, which involved the snorting of sugar by the other pupil, were published in a daily newspaper.

Following an investigation by the school the two teens, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were informed that the school’s board of management had made “a preliminary decision” they should be excluded. The school said they behaved in a manner that posed a serious threat to good order and discipline.

The students brought High Court proceedings against the board aimed at quashing that decision, which they say is in breach of fair procedures, disproportionate and flawed.

As part of their actions, the students sought injunctions allowing them to return to school pending the outcome of their actions, which the school had opposed.

Mr Justice Max Barrett ruled in the High Court that both students were entitled to injunctions compelling the school to permit them to attend for the present academic year. This is pending full and final determination of their proceedings against the school’s board of manage- ment. Afterwards, outside the court, the students and members of their families became emotional and embraced each other.

Mr Justice Barrett said he was not deciding on the issues in the full cases, which return to court at a later date.

He said, in what is an important school year for the students, they wanted to “get back to school, get down to work, and get the best possible Leaving Certificate results”.