Cork girl Leah Forde, whose family fought to get her access to school, dies in parents' arms

The Cork child had been excluded from school for more than 100 days until funding for a nurse was secured

Leah Forde and her mother Michelle at home in Cork in April 2023. Picture: Denis Minihane

Leah Forde, the Cork girl whose family and school principal fought to get her rightful access to school, has died. 

The little girl had a rare chromosome disorder resulting in severe developmental delay. She passed away peacefully "in the arms of her Mom and Dad and in the wonderful care of the Puffin Ward staff, Cork University Hospital".

Leah, from Turners Cross, had not been able to walk or talk and was a pupil of St Paul's Special School in Montenotte.

In 2022 an issue arose with the availability of a school nurse to specifically tend to Leah at certain times and this resulted in her being excluded from school for more than 100 days.

Her parents, Michelle and Declan, and school principal, Anne Hartnett, spent months chasing answers and funding commitments from the HSE, Department of Education, National Council for Special Education, the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Each of these bodies told both the Fordes and the Irish Examiner that responsibility lay elsewhere. Eventually at the end of May 2023, after missing 125 days of school, it was confirmed that a nurse would be provided.

Leah Forde with her mother Michelle (left) and Anne Hartnett, principal, on her return to school after an absence of nearly a year from St Paul's School in Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

And at the end of August 2023 Leah was back on the school bus and delighted to see her teachers, school principal, and classmates.

Leah is survived by her parents, Declan and Michelle, her younger siblings Olivia and David, her grandparents and other relatives.

Reposing at her home today from 4.30pm until 6.30pm.

Mass of All Saints on Friday (November 1) at 3pm in Christ King Church, Turners Cross will be streamed.

Her family have requested no flowers — donations in lieu, if desired, to the Jack and Jill Foundation.