Child missed 70 schooldays as mum ‘too scared’

A DUBLIN mother, who was too scared to leave her home due to local crime, has been given a 21-day suspended sentence after her child missed more than 70 days of primary school.

The woman was prosecuted at Dublin District Court by the Child and Family Agency after her son missed 46pc of days when he should have been at school.

She had claimed she was afraid to leave her home on the city’s northside as a result of serious crime in her area.

A school attendance notice was issued by an education and welfare officer.

The minimum school leaving age is 16 years, or the completion of three years of post-primary education.

The charge results in a €1,000 fine and a one-month sentence but harsher penalties can be applied for repeat offences.