It has emerged that the parents of the students who were excluded from taking their Junior Cert exams are considering taking legal action against Tullamore College and its principal.

The headmaster of Tullamore College in Co Offaly has defended his decision to ban three Junior Cert pupils from the exams because of their short haircuts.

Former Minister for Education Noel Dempsey has spoken out in defence of the three Co Offaly teenagers who were not allowed sit their Junior Cert at their own school because of their short hair cuts.

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has said punishments meted out for breaching school rules must be proportionate to the breach committed by the student.

The controversy surrounding the three boys banned from sitting their Junior Cert exams at a Co Offaly school is continuing to rumble on this morning.