This incident happened last Tuesday morning as 9 children with special needs were being brought to their school in Cashel.
Speaking to Tipp FM News – Principal of Coil Chormaic Monica Sheridan said that the students had an escort on board and once they arrived at the school – which accommodates up to 200 pupils – their check-list procedures swings into place.
The principal stated they have two people checking off the children – including 5 who needed assistance disembarking – one at the bus and then another at the school door and once staff realised that they were missing a pupil they began an immediate search of the premises .
The bus driver- who hadn't noticed the child as he was hiding in the back of the bus- had already pulled away and subsequently parked at Mother Hubbards on the outskirts of the town.
School staff then made contact with him but in the meanwhile the young boy had left the bus and was discovered by another driver who brought him to a nearby school.
Principal Monica Sheridan says he was back in Scoil Chormaic within 20 minutes – adding that when she contacted his mother she expressed full confidence in the school and its procedures and protocols .
Monica Sheridan also added that they have no staffing difficulties and that the Education Department have been extremely supportive
