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Call to axe ‘unfair’ Leaving Cert this year Phoenix Park rally outrage
Danny Kennedy
THIS is the poignant photo of a couple of 71 years kept apart by Covid-19 snapped at a nursing home last week. The Dublin pair blew kisses and waved at each other through a separating window. Danny Kennedy has been unable to visit his “movie star” wife Phyllis at Howth Hill Lodge nursing home because of isolation restrictions. While
FIANNA Fail has called for this year’s Leaving Cert to be cancelled as the Department of Education insists it still hopes to hold the exam in July.
The Government announced on Friday that schools would remain closed until September – but there was no mention of the test in the roadmap briefing.
This has led Sinn Fein to call for clarity for students – and Fianna Fail to plea for it to be scrapped altogether. Spokesman visiting last week, Danny spoke to Lara O’brien and photographer Annraoi Blaney of Facebook page The Heart Of Howth.
Lara described how the “perfect moment” was captured of Danny when his wife arrived.
She told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “Danny is only 10 days younger than Phyllis and shared that Phyllis had a stroke six years ago. They have been married 71 years this year.” She said
Thomas Byrne told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “There’s no easy answer but these are unprecedented times.
“There are just too many students for whom the Leaving Cert is now unfair this year.
“They’ve been out of school since mid-march and in many cases curriculums won’t have been covered.
“There’s a broadband divide that is affecting pupils and teachers. There are issues with engagement as well in some
Danny fixed his hat and continued to keep his eye on the door waiting for his beloved to arrive.
She added: “Normally, he visits Phyllis at dinnertime and stays with her in the home until 10pm. Now he arrives at 12.30pm every day and waits at the window.
“He chatted to us while he waited. He misses his wife and his face lights up when Phyllis arrives at the window.” areas.” Mr Byrne added an increase in institution places and alternative mechanisms for assessment will mean pupils could still attend colleges.
And yesterday Sinn Fein’s Donnchadh O Laoghaire called on Education Education Joe Mchugh to outline Government and NPHET criteria.
He added the Leaving Cert should “only proceed if it is safe to do so and if the health and welfare of students can be safeguarded”.
Fianna Fail’s Byrne
PEOPLE were left fuming after being refused entry into Phoenix Park due to an anti-lockdown protest yesterday.
Access was restricted shortly before 2pm as crowds gathered at the Park Gate Street entrance.
It was led by Gemma O’doherty and John Waters, who have launched a High Court action over restrictions.
Residents expressed outrage on Twitter as they were left unable to take part in their daily exercise.
One said: “Gutted that Phoenix Park is temporarily closed today. The park has been the only chance to get space and fresh air in the last few weeks.”
A Garda spokeswoman said officers “interacted with a number of persons, some of whom left the area”.