Home schooling mother jailed and released for not paying fine

Monica O’Connor and Eddie O’Neill refused to register children with education welfare board

Eddie O’ Neill at home with some of the children. He is due to be jailed after his wife is released from prison for non-payment of a fine Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times

Wed Sep 3 2014 - 13:08

A mother of six was sent to prison for failing to pay a fine after she refused to register her children for home schooling.

Gardaí arrested Monica O’Connor, from Tullow, Co Carlow, by arrangement this morning. She was brought to the Dóchas Centre in Mountjoy and released shortly afterwards.

Ms O’Connor and her husband Eddie O’Neil were convicted last year of failing to cause their children to attend school after they refused to register them for home schooling.

They were fined €2,000 by Carlow District Court in June 2013. Warrants for their arrest were later issued after they refused to pay the fines on principle.

Both are to be jailed for 10 days each. Mr O’Neill will be sent to prison after his wife is released.