A dispute between the parents of two boys who refuse to learn Irish and their former school worsened yesterday with the school threatening the parents with legal action.
Solicitors for Tigh na nOg Primary School in Blessington, Co Wicklow, have threatened to take out an injunction against Mr Tom Higgins and Ms Theresa Dunne if they do not stop bringing their children to the school each morning.
The parents were told at the end of last term that their sons could not be given places this September because they refuse to pursue the "full school curriculum", which includes Irish.
However, for the last few days Mr Higgins and his wife have protested at the school with their sons Troy (9) and Hadley (6). On each occasion they have been met by Mr Brian Dowling, chairman of the school, who has told them to leave the premises.
Mr Higgins says the boys should be allowed to opt out of Irish because it is no use to them. However, he says Irish is not the primary cause of the dispute, which is primarily about parents' rights to decide what their children learn at school.
The solicitors' letter says the school cannot permit any further protests. "Our client cannot permit such action, and it has a responsibility to the teachers and pupils of the school to prevent any further disruption."
The letter asks the couple to give an undertaking to stop protesting at the school. If they do not, the letter says, the school will "be left with no alternative but to take proceedings for injunctive relief, and this letter will be used to fix the costs."
Mr Higgins said last night he would continue to protest at the school's decision not to readmit the boys, who are now being educated at home. He has told the school he wants it to hold an e.g.m. of parents on the issue of parental rights over what subjects are compulsory.