Student hospitalised after suspected gas leak

A teenager was treated in hospital and more than a dozen were medically assessed at one of West Cork’s biggest secondary schools after a suspected gas leak yesterday.

Parents of the affected students at Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway were extremely critical of school management last night over how they handled the incident.

“It was atrocious really. We got no information whatsoever about what happened — no note, not even a text. We were kept in the dark. We’re still not sure what happened, or what’s been done about it,” said one parent, who asked not to be named.

The school principal could not be contacted for comment last night.

The incident began when second year students attending class in a science lab complained of feeling unwell. It is understood school authorities decided to send one student to the local GP.

However, when the GP learned a potential gas leak was involved, the student was referred to CUH.

Doctors alerted ambulance control and students were called back to school for medical assessment.

A HSE spokesperson said one patient was brought to CUH and 18 patients were assessed but did not require further hospital treatment.

It is understood the gas leak may have been caused by a faulty bunsen burner.