The Gaelscoil in Dunboyne, Co Meath, which has been at the centre of controversy over religious policy for the last six months has suffered a 30 per cent fall in its pupil numbers.
The school, Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg, was hoping to have about 140 pupils for the school year ahead, but yesterday only about 90 turned up for classes.
The school lost its principal, Mr Tomás Ó Dúlaing, over the summer after a bitter dispute about the teaching of religion in class. The principal is now seeking redress through the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
However, tensions continue to build at the school. Yesterday morning as parents gathered some members of the school's patron body, An Foras Patrúnachta, were present and this added to the fraught atmosphere.
There are four INTO teachers in the school. They are understood to be unhappy with the loss of the principal over the summer, but are planning to remain for the moment.
Mr Michael Dungan, a parent who has opposed the board over the last few months, said there were more children at school yesterday than he expected, but he was disappointed that serious tensions continued to linger in the school yard.
The INTO is supporting Mr Ó Dúlaing's claim through the tribunal. The union's executive has also demanded the publication of an interim report by an educationalist, Brother Luke Monahan, who has reviewed the issues at the centre of the dispute.
This report has been with An Foras for a number of weeks and to date the group has declined to make it public. At this stage the INTO is wondering why An Foras insists on keeping the report secret, said an INTO spokesman.
In recent weeks the board of management at the school has been dissolved, and a director is expected to be appointed shortly to run the school. At present a vice-principal is fulfilling this role.