Hannah Brennan (20) proved sceptics wrong yesterday, having earned a merit in 11 subjects in her Leaving Certificate Applied exams. Despite having Down Syndrome and developing epilepsy when she was in fifth class, she was determined to make it through the second-level education system.

Hannah is set to continue her education by taking an access course in the National Learning Network in Portlaoise, about which she is very excited.

Yesterday was a very special day for Hannah's mother, Joanna Doyle, who had been campaigning and lobbying for years to get Hannah the services that she needed. "There is still a lot of negativity about integrated education," she said, "but I think Hannah's achievement really proved a point."

Principal at St Leo’s College Carlow Clare Ryan said she was very proud of Hannah and hopes they will keep in contact. “What Hannah has done is an incredible achievement. The other girls collecting their results really knew that challenge that she face. It was just a lovely day,” she said. “Real inclusion is now the message here and the message of what Hannah has done. We’re all very proud.”

Hannah said she was delighted with her results, thanking her family, her teachers and her friends. “I’m tired, but had a great day,” she said.

Ms Doyle also paid tribute to Ms Ryan, saying she is a brilliant principal and much more open than officials from other schools she spoke to.