Latest news with #ScoilMhuire
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Leitrim national school pupils forced to cross busy road and learn in converted toilets amid new school plea
For over a decade, the parents association, staff and the school community have been calling for a new school building on a single campus to replace the current Scoil Mhuire. The need for the new school on a green field site emerged as the girls and boys national school in Carrick on Shannon merged in 2013. However, the school remains on two campuses despite the school population doubling in that time. Since the amalgamation, the school has fallen into a state of disrepair and campaigners say not a single classroom is fit for purpose. Despite the poor conditions, no commitment has ever been given by the Department of Education for a new school building. Recently, John Campion Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, visited the school and met with some members of the New School Committee. Mr Davey saw first hand the conditions within the school and said the facilities within each building are 'severely inadequate', with a technical report from the Department of Education issued several years ago calling the school building "sub-standard". Mr Davey said 'I had the privilege of being shown around the two campus Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Shannon, by members of the staff and parent body. 'I had been asked to attend by Senator Nessa Cosgrove to see how she could help with their campaign for a new school building. 'The most glaring issue is immediately evident. "The school is spread across two different campuses, the former girls school and the former boys school. "I heard how Scoil Mhuire had been one of the earlier proponents of amalgamations, they embraced the change enthusiastically, yet they still exist across two campuses. 'Apart from the damage this does to a sense of a school identity, it is a hazard for children crossing roads to go from one school to the other. 'It also results in the ridiculous situation of many parents dropping off and collecting children from each campus every day for multiple years,' said Mr Davey. Mr Davey observed the school has 'gone out of its way' to cater for the increased number of students but building a new school is the 'logical thing to do'. 'The PE Hall is tiny, for the numbers of children attending, having been subdivided to provide additional learning spaces. "The school has gone out of its way to welcome increased numbers of children from many different cultures and backgrounds many of these have language needs. 'As in all schools, there are more children with additional needs, which must be met. 'I saw converted corridors, store rooms and even rooms which had formerly housed toilets and hand washing facilities converted into Special Education Needs classrooms. 'The two campuses dating from 1953 and 1963 must be a nightmare to heat in winter, and to keep cool in a hot summer. "The savings on energy costs alone, never mind the environmental impact, must make construction of a new school the logical thing to do. 'Despite the very real challenges faced by the school, the commitment which the school Principal, Staff and Parent body show to the children is phenomenal,' said Mr Davey. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that funding was granted to provide a two mainstream classroom extension for Scoil Mhuire. While the funding was welcomed, it does not provide a long term solution. "While the promise of two new modular classrooms over the summer is welcome, in terms of learning space, it does nothing to address the core issues highlighted, and in fact will further reduce the amount of outdoor space available for play,' said Mr Davey. "As an Early Years Educator, I am fully aware of the importance of having outdoor space for physical activity and play. "It is a fundamental part of a child's holistic development, particularly their physical, emotional and social development. 'The school community are not campaigning for a new school to have a shiny new building to work from. "They are doing it because they feel a real bond with the children and families they educate and care for. 'Inclusive practice is at the heart of everything that is done at Scoil Mhuire. "The passion of the teachers and the happiness of the children to be at school is written all over them,' said Mr Davey. Leitrim County Council has identified a suitable greenfield site close to the current school building and the school are happy with the proposed site. Mr Davey continued, 'All we need now is for the Government to commit to funding the new building. "Senator Cosgrove has committed to highlighting the need for a new school building, which has the support of all four local TDs, and will be hoping to raise the matter personally with the Minister for Education before the summer recess. 'Carrick-on-Shannon is the County Town of Leitrim, it is a fast growing town and it deserves a National School which reflects its developing and changing needs,' said Mr Davey. A spokesperson for the school said, 'On Tuesday, June 17th, John Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, met with some members of the New School Committee. 2The meeting went well, and John assured us he would pass on all information to Senator Nessa Cosgrove. 'We call on all politicians and members of the wider community to put pressure wherever they can to help us secure a new school for Carrick-on-Shannon.'
Extra.ie
29-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Man held after web threat to kill children sparks school lockdown
A National school was put in lockdown yesterday morning after it emerged a 'disturbed' man who threatened to kill children was in the area. The man, arrested yesterday afternoon, had made graphic threats to Irish children, saying he was going to target them because Irish people had 'p*ssed me off'. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin The video, which was circulated online earlier this week, showed a man lying on a bed addressing the camera. He said: 'Irish, I'm coming on top of you now. I'm gonna be slicing your babies, kids and you, good for everybody. Get ready, because you p*ssed me off.' Pic: Karl M Photography/Shutterstock The video had been flagged multiple times on several social media websites but had not been removed. A search conducted yesterday evening revealed that the video was still easily accessible online. Scoil Mhuire, on the Ballyroan Road in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, closed its doors as a precaution yesterday morning when it emerged that the man may be in the area. An official Garda spokesman said officers investigating 'alleged threats shared online have arrested one male in Abbeyleix', adding that the man was 'detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region'.
Sunday World
28-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man arrested after online threats to ‘kill children and babies' sparks school alert
The suspect, who is aged in his 40s, is now in custody, gardaí have confirmed. A man is in garda custody after a series of disturbing threats to 'kill children and babies' were posted online, sparking a school alert. A 'highly disturbing' video was posted in recent days, featuring chilling threats about alleged plans to target young children. After his video was widely shared online, a group of local people 'descended' upon the man, who is in his 40s and was living in an encampment off the M4 motorway. This group 'broke up his encampment', sources say. The suspect, who is aged in his 40s, was not injured during this fracas. But the man fled the area before re-emerging in Tallaght. It is believed he posted another video, shared on TikTok, from Tallaght Square. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 28th The man apparently walked from Tallaght to Abbeyleix in Laois. At this stage, a local primary school had put out an alert, given the grave nature of the threats being issued against children. A Precaution Notice sent out to the school community by Principal of Scoil Mhuire Margaret Slevin at 9.46am on Wednesday stated: 'Dear Parent/Guardian, We are aware of rumours circulating in Abbeyleix this morning. "Please be reassured that we are doing everything in our power to keep the children and staff safe. Everyone will remain indoors today or until we hear otherwise. Thank you for your co-operation with this matter.' It is understood that the man now in custody was never in the vicinity of the school. Gardai also confirmed a major investigation into the incident, as well as the suspect's arrest. A statement said: 'Gardaí investigating alleged threats shared online have arrested one male in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois this morning, Wednesday 28th May 2025. 'The arrested male is currently detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. 'There is no ongoing threat to public safety at this time. As a person is now in custody there is no further comment at this time.'
Dublin Live
28-05-2025
- Dublin Live
School put into 'lockdown' as gardai arrest man over alleged online threats
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gardaí have arrested a man in Laois as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged threats shared online. Officers made the arrest in Abbeyleix, Laois on Wednesday morning following an ongoing probe into alleged threats that have been shared widely across social media. While the veracity of the threats cannot be confirmed, it is understood that the alleged remarks were sinister in nature. In a video circulating on social media a man can be heard saying: 'Irish, I'm coming on top of you now. I'm gonna be slicing your babies, kids and you, good for everybody. Get ready, cause you p***ed me off..." Scoil Mhuire on the Ballyroan Road in Abbeyleix went into 'lockdown' for several hours as a precaution on Wednesday morning before the male was apprehended by Gardaí and is now in custody. In a Precaution Notice sent out to the school community by Principal of Scoil Mhuire Margaret Slevin at 9.46am it stated: 'Dear Parent/Guardian, We are aware of rumours circulating in Abbeyleix this morning. "Please be reassured that we are doing everything in our power to keep the children and staff safe. Everyone will remain indoors today or until we hear otherwise. Thank you for your co-operation with this matter.' Later, after the male was apprehended by Gardaí, the Principal updated parents and guardians of students with a new notice stating: 'We have been contacted by the local guards. A man has been apprehended and is in custody. "We thank the local Guards for watching out so diligently for us. Normal workings in the school resume.' The arrested male is currently detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. A Garda spokesperson confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to public safety at this time but said that as a 'person is now in custody there is no further comment at this time." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
School put into 'lockdown' as gardai arrest man over alleged online threats
Gardaí have arrested a man in Laois as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged threats shared online. Officers made the arrest in Abbeyleix, Laois on Wednesday morning following an ongoing probe into alleged threats that have been shared widely across social media. While the veracity of the threats cannot be confirmed, it is understood that the alleged remarks were sinister in nature. In a video circulating on social media a man can be heard saying: 'Irish, I'm coming on top of you now. I'm gonna be slicing your babies, kids and you, good for everybody. Get ready, cause you p***ed me off..." Scoil Mhuire on the Ballyroan Road in Abbeyleix went into 'lockdown' for several hours as a precaution on Wednesday morning before the male was apprehended by Gardaí and is now in custody. In a Precaution Notice sent out to the school community by Principal of Scoil Mhuire Margaret Slevin at 9.46am it stated: 'Dear Parent/Guardian, We are aware of rumours circulating in Abbeyleix this morning. "Please be reassured that we are doing everything in our power to keep the children and staff safe. Everyone will remain indoors today or until we hear otherwise. Thank you for your co-operation with this matter.' Later, after the male was apprehended by Gardaí, the Principal updated parents and guardians of students with a new notice stating: 'We have been contacted by the local guards. A man has been apprehended and is in custody. "We thank the local Guards for watching out so diligently for us. Normal workings in the school resume.' The arrested male is currently detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. A Garda spokesperson confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to public safety at this time but said that as a 'person is now in custody there is no further comment at this time."
