Cork school's mass withdrawal of students left them 'confused and distressed', parents say

'A significant number' of pupils were withdrawn from Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers during school hours following communication circulated on social media referring to a ‘health and safety’ issue

Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers is being led on an interim basis by the former deputy principal as principal Adrian Breathnach is out on stress leave due to accusations that he was under the influence of alcohol during the school day. Picture: Chani Anderson

Children in a Cork City Gaelscoil were left “confused and distressed” after a mass withdrawal of students recently, as parents have criticised the communication from the school’s board.

On April 17, a group of parents removed nearly 100 children from Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers on Redemption Road due to concerns over health and safety.

The children almost immediately returned to the school, which is being led on an interim basis by the former deputy principal as principal Adrian Breathnach is out on stress leave due to accusations that he was under the influence of alcohol during the school day.

Mr Breathnach said in a statement issued at the time that he had been the victim of an “orchestrated campaign” after forgetting to bring his vertigo medication to school, leaving him disorientated, and that allegations that he was under the influence of alcohol were “completely untrue and unfounded”.

Multiple similarly worded emails from “concerned parents” were sent to the board of management and department of education on April 17 seeking clarification on the situation.

One of these emails, provided to the Irish Examiner on foot of a Freedom of Information request, said “a significant number" of pupils were withdrawn from the school during school hours following communication circulated on social media referring to a ‘health and safety’ issue.

“Parents who were not aware of this beforehand were left uncertain and concerned as to the nature of any potential risk and whether it was necessary to collect their children.

“Children who remained in the school experienced a level of disruption and anxiety. My own children returned home upset following what appears to have been a confusing and distressing day.” 

Another parent said that they were copying in the department of education, claiming “the Board of Management has, to date, failed to follow established complaints procedures, act in a timely and appropriate manner, communicate adequately with parents and provide appropriate reassurance regarding the safeguarding of children". 

They said: “Many parents became aware of today's events through social media and other online sources rather than through official communication from the school. This has caused significant distress and anxiety.” 

Another said: “We feel it is important to formally outline these concerns and request immediate clarity and engagement from the Board”, but added that the teachers in the school were excellent and that they did not want the situation to be seen as a reflection on them.

The emails all called for a parents’ meeting to be arranged urgently.

A spokesperson for the department of education, asked if they had intervened in the situation and what actions they had taken, said they did not comment on individual cases.

The board has not responded to a request for comment from the Irish Examiner.