Courts / Ireland / Report

'Whistleblower' alleges special needs children physically abused at school

Summary

The families of five special‑needs children have brought a High Court judicial review to investigate allegations made by a former staff member that the children were mentally and physically abused at their primary school. The whistle‑blower claims that two staff members—another teacher and a Special Needs Assistant—pulled and dragged the children, shouted at them, grabbed them by the neck and chin, forced them into sensory rooms, and made them complete work while distressed. She also alleges that the teacher rubbed soap over a child's mouth to stop "blowing bubbles with saliva", and that the SNA left a child in wet, soiled underwear, calling the child "dirty" and telling her to "leave some for Mammy." The whistle‑blower says the teacher and SNA told her to shout more at the children, and that they planned to make classroom changes to upset the children.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Whistleblower' alleges special needs children physically abused at school. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2024-01-29 Publication

Why: " The whistleblower has also claimed that they were directed on occasions by the other teacher and the SNA to leave a child in wet and soiled underwear "because the child should know better". CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report