Teen’s school attendance improves after jail threat

A judge yesterday told the parents of a school-shy teenager that they can bring their small bags and toothbrushes home with them.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan made the direction after hearing that the parents’ 14-year-old daughter has a 100% school attendance rate since the judge threatened the parents with jail earlier this week.

At the court on Wednesday, Judge Durcan told the two to bring their overnight bags with them to court yesterday as he threatened them with jail if their daughter’s school attendance record didn’t improve.

The parents’ solicitor, Daragh Hassett told the court yesterday: “This lady has very reluctantly gone to school this morning and the other two days, and I think judge, she will get benefit from seeing you again.”

Judge Durcan called the parents forward to the judge’s bench and said: “Did you bring the little bags I told you to bring with the toothbrushes and all of that?”

They replied ‘yes’ and in response, Judge Durcan said: “The good news is that you can bring them home.”

Judge Durcan adjourned the case to next Friday.