Dempsey speaks out in defence of Tullamore teenagers

Former Minister for Education Noel Dempsey has spoken out in defence of the three Co Offaly teenagers who were not allowed sit their Junior Cert at their own school because of their short hair cuts.

The schoolboys were told on Wednesday that they would only be allowed to sit the first exam and would not be welcome after that.

The headmaster of Tullamore College said they breached school rules by getting blade-one haircuts.

One of the boys has refused to sit his Junior Cert elsewhere and says he will repeat the exams next year instead.

Former Minister for Education Noel Dempsey, spoke out today in defence of the schoolboys.

"What's more neat and tidy than a nice, short haircut?" he asked. "I really can't understand the logic or the reasoning.

"Perhaps there are underlying circumstances, but on the face of everything I've seen on this, I just think that what has happened is ridiculous."

Green Party TD Paul Gogarty, meanwhile, has called on the Government to change the Education Act to prevent a repeat of what happened in Tullamore.

He said the legislation should be altered to allow student representatives to sit on boards of management.