Principal bans popular ‘IRA game’
The game has been played at primary schools in Kilkenny city and involves sixth class boys dividing into two teams. Each team picks a word, with each boy taking one letter of the word. Teams then chase one another and when someone is caught, the aim is to get him to reveal his letter.
Liam Moloney of St Canice’s Boys National School on Grange Road, who banned the game in his school, fears it could lead to bullying.
“I had never heard of the IRA game before.
“I did warn the children strongly and I am satisfied that we won’t see a repeat,” Mr Moloney said.
Teachers patrol the play areas at break time, he said, and there has never been any incidents of bullying or harassment. When the principal investigated what had been going on the children involved said they were “just playing the IRA game”.
“I don’t think they realise the implications of the name,” he said.
The game first came to the notice of the principal when a boy’s arm was broken in the school yard. One boy was chasing another as part of the game when they fell. One tumbled on top of the other who fell awkwardly and fractured his arm.
The National Parents Council says it’s a clear example of how critical it is for parents to take the time to discuss with their children what games they are playing.
National Parents Council Post Primary President, Eleanor Petrie, said: “It is time for parents to use examples like this as a learning experience and to make time to ask their children what they play and what it involves.”
The latest game craze to sweep Kilkenny is a lot more innocent than others which have been played over the years. Just two years ago, a game known as American Dream involved girls taking turns at holding their breath, with classmates catching them by the throat until they passed out.
After five or six seconds, the girls would slap the girl holding her breath and they would talk about what the experience felt like.
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