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Families resolve actions over allegations that special needs children physically abused at school

Summary

Families of five special‑needs children sued the school board and the Minister for Education after a former staff member alleged that children in the school's autism unit were repeatedly pulled, dragged, and physically abused by a teacher and a Special Needs Assistant. The allegations included shouting, grabbing children by the neck, forcing them into sensory rooms, and using soap on a child's mouth. The families claimed the board failed to investigate and placed the staff on leave. The High Court heard the case before Mr Justice Barry O'Donnell, but the parties reached an out‑of‑court arrangement. The children will be placed in an educational setting without the two staff members pending a Tusla investigation. The court did not order costs, noting the parties had compromised, and awarded a modest cost award to the first applicant. The claims were ultimately denied.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Families resolve actions over allegations that special needs children physically abused at school. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2024-05-08 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