Ms Kathryn Sinnott, the mother of 23-year-old autistic man Jamie, described the Department of Education's decision yesterday as inexcusable. "It is really disappointing they still haven't learned from the past," she said.
"They should simply face up to what they have to do for special needs children and stop trying to fudge their responsibilities," she said. Ms Sinnott said she believed the appeal would fail and Mr Justice Barr's judgment was "strong and sustainable".
Ms Sinnott said the appeal did not come as a surprise. The Department had fought her "every step of the way" and its latest action was predictable.
Mr Justice Barr, who delivered the High Court judgment, said at the time that Kathryn "appears to have worn herself almost literally to the bone struggling on behalf of her son". Ms Sinnott said she would continue this struggle and intended to be in court for the Supreme Court hearing.
The Department of Education had not contacted her since the High Court judgment, she said, to liase with her over Jamie's future. "Jamie has been surprisingly happy since the judgment and has been looking at me and smiling constantly."
Jamie is hoping to begin classes shortly at their home in Ballinhassig, Co Cork, she said. The classes would involve "intensive rehabilitation" for Jamie who was not yet ready to enter a special classroom with other children. "Jamie has a long way to catch up and hopefully these intensive classes will allow him that opportunity," she said.
"He walks past the room where the classes are going to take place and has a good look in, so he seems to be excited at the prospect, although sometimes he does not show it," said Ms Sinnott.
She was planning to tell Jamie about the Department's decision last night but said she would be telling him "we are not going to give in to it".