Parents protest over primary school closure

Parents of children attending a south Dublin primary school protested in Inchicore this morning over the sudden announcement …

Parents of children attending a south Dublin primary school protested in Inchicore this morning over the sudden announcement that it is to close in the summer.

The Christian Brothers yesterday confirmed that St Michael's CBS in Inchicore is to close due to falling numbers.

Staff and parents were shocked by the sudden decision, with many only hearing the news on the radio.

Local representatives also joined in the protests today.

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In recent years the number of pupils at the school has dropped to around 70 boys, including a number of children with behavioural problems who have been unable to find other schools.

The primary teachers' union, the INTO, yesterday called for an immediate review of the decision.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Catherine Byrne, expressed concern that the closure of the school would lead to the remaining pupils attending schools outside their locality and proposed that the school be merged with another school in the area.

"A number of years ago, the CBS and the Mercy nuns from Our Lady of Lourdes National School looked at a proposal to amalgamate the two schools," she said. "I am urging the CBS school and the Mercy nuns to look again at amalgamating the two schools."

St Michael's CBS has been educating boys in the area since the 1930s.