'They just want to see their friends' — thousands of students set to return to school

Younger classes, from junior infants to second-class, will return to their schools today, as will final year Leaving Cert students. Picture: Larry Cummins

Almost one year ago, at the beginning of the pandemic, schools and colleges were shut for the first time while non-essential shops and businesses remained open. 

Today, after almost two months of further closures, the next phase of reopening schools gets underway while the rest of society remains locked down.