‘I fear for Angel... I have to take a stand’

ON October 10 last year Angel and James McDonagh intruded on the Green party’s special convention in the RDS Dublin.

James and Angel were jostled out of the hall before they could ask Green leader John Gormley, why after a year of trying, Angel had not been given a place in a school that could cater for her needs.

The following six weeks saw the pair and supporters conduct further protests, including a picket at the Dáil, before the Department of Education did find an place in St Michael’s House Special School, Rathgar, for Angel. The school had earlier stated it had not been provided with the resources to cater for the then 11-year-old who suffers from closed spina bifida and behavioural difficulties.