The decision to refuse three students entry to a Junior Cert exam hall, because it was claimed their tight haircuts did not comply with school rules, has been condemned by youth organisations and parental bodies.

Following a decision by the principal of Tullamore Community College, Co Offaly, to refer three students to another school for the second day of exams yesterday, organisations such as Youth Work Ireland called on the Minister for Education to intervene and ensure that no student is denied the right to sit an exam.

A spokesman for Youth Work Ireland, Michael McLoughlin, who described the schools' decision as "ludicrous and possibly illegal", last night said that if the Department of Education failed to take the issue seriously, a complaint to the Ombudsman for Children might now arise.

The parents of the three boys - Enda Carroll (15), Seán Treacy (16) and Andrew Kelly (15) - accused the Tullamore school of employing "one rule for one, another rule for others". Ann-Marie Treacy and Pamela Carroll acknowledged their sons had been warned and suspended about the length of their hair in the past, adding however that their sons simply preferred a tight haircut.

Principal Edward McEvoy said the three students had not been singled out for particular attention and explained that the school employed high standards of discipline and behaviour and could not accept "wilful challenging of the school rules".

Mr McEvoy arranged for them to sit the remaining exams six miles away at Árd Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara. Two students availed of this option while Enda plans instead to resit the exams next year in another school.

Jim Jackman of the National Parent Council (post-primary) said that while he recognised the job of a principal had become increasingly difficult, the exams were not the time for penalties.

The Union of Secondary Students said it was irresponsible of the school administrators to refuse entry to the students. Spokesman Dominick Whelan said it was working to ensure that the three students were enabled to return to the Tullamore school by Monday.

The incident was described as "unwelcome" by Labour's Jan O'Sullivan. "I understand that rules are in operation in the school in question, but I would say to the school authorities that a little bit of flexibility should be shown at exam time."