School to pay €5,850 to victimised Traveller

A PRIMARY school has been ordered to pay €5,850 compensation to a Traveller schoolboy and his mother after being found guilty of harassment, victimisation and discrimination.

The Equality Tribunal ruled that the school authorities had victimised the boy by refusing to allow him to make his Confirmation with his classmates because he was pursuing a complaint against the school under the Equal Status Act.

It also found that the school had failed in its duty of care to the boy by its failure to prioritise his assessment by an educational psychologist so that his special learning needs could be met.