A father and mother could face a jail sentence and a fine after a judge heard their child missed at least 243 days of primary school over a three-year period. The officer told the court their son missed 72 out of 182 days in the 2014/2015 school year, 65 out of 182 days during the 2015/2016 year and 106 days in the 2016/2017 school year. Notices servedEducation and welfare officer Eamon Regan said it was his belief the parents were not doing enough to ensure their child went to school. It had been hoped the threat of legal action would improve their son’s attendance at school, the court was told. Authorities in the UK were alerted and have made contact with the parents who are now seeking to home-school the child there, the court heard.

Source: The Irish Times February 12, 2018 21:45 UTC