Divorced parents detained in Ennis over absenteeism of son, 13

A judge yesterday placed the divorced parents of a school-shy teen in temporary custody after hearing a boy had not attended school any day since a previous court hearing.

The pair were held for several hours in the custody area of Ennis courtroom after being told the 13-year-old did not attend school in the past two weeks.

Judge Patrick Durcan had previously warned the parents would go to jail.

Daragh Hassett, for the boy’s mother, said her client was powerless as the boy “will do nothing for her”.

The mother had lost complete control, he said, and the boy refused to co-operate at any level. He said the boy’s mother did everything she could to bring the boy to school “bar putting him over her shoulder and placing him at the schoolgate. The boy has her heart broken”.

Mr Hassett added: “The boy is now quite aggressive to her and she can’t handle him as things stand.

“I never seen a case like this where there is a 100% refusal by a child to go to school even though he has been told by you, the Child & Family Agency, his principal, his father and mother and myself that the parents will go to jail unless he goes to school.”

The boy’s father yesterday apologised for missing previous court hearings in the case, saying he had just returned from honeymoon in Australia with his new wife.

Judge Durcan said: “There may be another honeymoon coming up for you now because you are aware of the seriousness of the problem.”

The judge then told the boy: “Be clear on this young man, if you don’t perform, unfortunately your mother will have to go away.”

The boy has a 90% absenteeism rate from school in the year to date.

Judge Durcan placed the parents in custody to allow a solicitor for the Child and Family Agency to get further instructions. “I want action in this case today and if I don’t have action, I will have to make a decision and order which I will deeply regret having to make.”

Kevin Sherry, solicitor for CFA, said: “It is the fifth time that the case has been in court and the child is no closer to attending school.”

Judge Durcan said he would like other avenues to be pursued for the welfare of the boy and adjourned the case to March 9.