A teacher who was accidentally locked into a special school in Limerick for four days over the St Patrick's weekend has asked for her privacy to be respected.
The Health Service Executive confirmed yesterday that security measures at Coovagh House would be reviewed following the incident. A HSE spokesman said the woman wanted to remain anonymous. "The teacher has asked me to state that she does not wish to comment on the incident and she has appealed for her privacy to be respected. The nature of some of the coverage of this unfortunate incident has only added to her distress."
The HSE confirmed yesterday that the teacher was accidentally locked into Coovagh House from Thursday, March 16th, until 8.15am on the morning of Monday, March 20th.
"The initial investigation points to an unfortunate series of events. The teacher had access to the school's home economics unit containing a kitchen, drinking water, bathroom and some food," said the HSE spokesman.
It is understood she became trapped in the building as the facility was being locked up after she became separated from her keys and personal alarm.
Coovagh House, in the grounds of St Joseph's Hospital off Mulgrave Street in Limerick city, is a special school for youngsters. The spokesman added that an interim report had been completed into the incident and said the HSE was in regular contact with the school.
"All appropriate assistance was offered to the teacher on Monday last and since then and we are making further inquiries into the broader security measures on the campus."