THE educational future of two Leitrim schoolboys still hangs in the balance after a ruling by Judge Oliver McGuinness yesterday at Dowra court.
James and Lucy Duffy are said by their solicitor, Mr Noel Quinn, to be considering an appeal against their conviction for contravening the School Attendance Act on four counts. Their sons have been kept from Drumkeerin school for the past 18 months, following allegations that Gary (13) had been bullied and Rory (11) is suffering from a medical condition because of his unhappy environment.
Judge McGuinness had previously adjourned the case to yesterday's District Court sitting to allow a psychologist's report to be prepared. He handed down a £5 fine on each of the four charges, the maximum allowed.
Mr Quinn said the children had not yet returned to Drumkeerin school, where they have been enrolled since 1990. Before that they had attended another school for 15 days, but were withdrawn because of a disagreement over teaching methods.
The three teacher school at Drumkeerin has 78 pupils. According to an earlier statement from its headmistress, Ms Eileen Kelly, there was no evidence of bullying.
Judge McGuinness said there was no medical reason why either child should not attend school or why the parents should deny them their fundamental right to an education.