Parents of children attending Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg have been left bitterly divided by the dismissal of its principal, Mr Tomás Ó Dúlaing.
Both sides yesterday accused the other of pursuing a policy of segregating Catholic and Protestant children and claimed majority support for their stance.
Ms Gráinne Kelly, chairwoman of the parents' association, said Mr Ó Dúlaing and "a small group of parents" had sought to impose their interpretation of the school's interdenominational policy.
However, Mr Michael Dungan, one of the parents supporting the sacked principal, said the association was not representative of the majority view. A petition supporting Mr Ó Dúlaing had been signed by 80 per cent of the parents, he said.
Mr Dungan said he intended to continue sending his three children to the school in September, but he knew of other parents who would be withdrawing theirs, in some cases as an act of protest, in others because of disillusion arising from the row over religious instruction.
"The school is severely damaged, even if all the parents and teachers stay. Tomás Ó Dúlaing was the heart of the school. He was the founding principal and he was extremely committed and energetic."
Mr Séamus O'Sullivan, a member of the school's patron body, An Foras Pátrúnachta, accepted the school had been damaged by the row, but said there was no threat to its future.
As patron, Foras is ultimately responsible for the management of Thulach na nÓg and about 40 other gaelscoileanna. The board of management, which recommended Mr Ó Dúlaing's dismissal, reports to An Foras Pátrúnachta.
