A Co Offaly school has been condemned for barring three Junior Cert students from sitting their exams because their hair is too short.
The students at Tullamore College were told yesterday that they would not be allowed sit their exams at the college today because their extremely short "blade one" cuts contravened school rules.
The students were allowed complete their papers yesterday but were told they would not be allowed return to the examination hall today.
A school in nearby Clara offered to accept the pupils, but one of the three, Enda Carroll (15), was said to be too upset by the incident to continue with his exams.
His mother, Pamela, told RTÉ radio that her son was so upset when he was informed of the decision that he was unable complete his paper yesterday and has decided not to sit the remainder of his exams.
She said: "He gets it cut all the time. That's the way he wears his hair. Even in national school he had his hair that way. He has to be perfect at all times, he takes good care of his appearance."
The Union of Secondary Students (USS) said it was "stunned" by the actions of the school principal who ordered the boys not continue with their exams at the school.
It said in statement the ban was "irrational and ludicrous" and that the school principal, who has refused to speak to the media, has not returned their calls.
A spokeswoman for the State Examination Commission said the school had made adequate provision for students to sit their exams and that its dress code was a "local issue".
"Such matters are left entirely in the hands of the school authority," she said.