A mother of five, living in Tallaght, Co Dublin, was sentenced to 30 days in prison, while in a separate case a father, also living in Tallaght, was sentenced to 15 days in prison. 

The sentences were criticised by Irish Penal Reform Trust, which said that prison should be reserved for those who present a threat to society.

The court heard that the woman, a mother of five in her late 30s, had refused to accompany her son to his mock Junior Cert exams.

According to an educational welfare officer from the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), the boy missed 58 days and six half-days out of 83 school days between November 2008 and November 2009, and 58 days and six half-days out of 83 school days from November 2009 to April 2010.

The mother, who pleaded not guilty to failing to ensure her son attended his community school in Tallaght, was convicted by Judge McDonnell and was taken to Mountjoy Prison.

“The defendant may have had her problems from her previous relationship where her partner abused her and her family, but she has an obligation to ensure that her son attends school... This case is so serious and worrying that I’m satisfied it merits a custodial sentence,” the judge said.

Arrangements would have to be made for the care of the mother’s other children, and the judge directed officers from the NEWB to notify the HSE of the situation.

In a separate ruling, a father who had previously pleaded guilty to not sending his daughter to a community college in west Tallaght and who did not appear in court for a pre-sentence report, was sentenced by Judge McDonnell to 15 days in jail in his absence.

Liam Herrick, executive director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust criticised the custodial sentences.

“Prison should be reserved only for the most serious offences and for those who present a threat to society,” he said.

“Moreover, prison cannot address the complex issues which are likely to lie behind a perceived unwillingness to support a child’s education.

“Given that holding a person in prison for 30 days costs the State around €8,000, the Irish Penal Reform Trust believes the resources would be far better spent on services which would support the family within the community.”

The NEWB was set up in 2002 to ensure all children receive an education. Up to the end of March 2010, the board issued 254 summonses in relation to 157 children.

Those convicted face a fine of up to €635, or up to one month’s imprisonment, or both.

The NEWB said 76 of the summonses issued resulted in convictions and it estimates that five resulted in a jail sentence.
(Source: Irish Times)