A CASE against the parents of two children who have not attended school in 17 months was adjourned yesterday until April 28th, pending a report by an independent psychologist.
Mr James and Mrs Lucy Duffy have kept their children out of Drumkeerin National School in Co Leitrim, alleging that 13 year old Gary had been bullied and that Rory (10) was unhappy there and had a medical condition as a result.
Mr Noel Quinn, solicitor for the Duffys, told Dowra District Court in Co Cavan that the children were still not back at school and that the family wanted an independent psychologist appointed to assess if they had a genuine problem with returning.
Judge Oliver McGuinness said "every leeway" had been given to Mr and Mrs Duffy to resolve the matter, but they had ignored two court directives to return the children to school.
He agreed to Mr Quinn's request to appoint a psychologist and said he wanted the report as soon as possible.
Judge McGuinness said the children were the "only losers" in the case and the court's only concern was that they were being deprived of their right to an education. He also granted the Duffy family free legal aid.