Sir, - I am a parent of a pupil in Colβiste Rβith∅n in Bray. Earlier this year I organised two meetings of the parents' body in the school on the drugs issue. The vast majority of the parents in the school supported the principal in his efforts to stop drugs being supplied to pupils.
At the time we parents made every effort to persuade the VEC and the politicians involved in this issue to back the principal of the school. Unfortunately, the VEC would not change its mind, nor would the politicians who played a crucial role in the decision. The VEC effectively ended up in the High Court supporting the action of the pupil found supplying drugs to other pupils.
I am shocked to learn in recent reports in your newspaper that the VEC is now threatening to take disciplinary action against the principal, Gear≤id ╙ Ciarβin. Have they completely lost their reason? They have chosen to ignore the views of the majority of parents in the school on the issue; they have backed a drug-supplying pupil; and now they are threatening the job of the principal. This is a gross national scandal.
I would hope that there are decent people in Co Wicklow VEC who will see the gross injustice in these threats to the principal of Colβiste Rβith∅n. I would hope also that the electorate will take careful note of who the politicians are who are engaged in this campaign against him and will ensure they are never again elected to public office.
Gear≤id ╙ Ciarβin has built up Colβiste Rβith∅n from scratch 10 years ago into one of the finest second-level schools in the country. It is a school marked by its commitment to the Irish language and culture, its very high academic standards and its relaxed, liberal atmosphere. Gear≤id O Ciarβin does not deserve this gross assault on his integrity, which is of the highest order, from people in elected office who should know better.
It is time he was given the support of Co Wicklow VEC in continuing to do the job he was appointed to do: providing an excellent education for the pupils who are fortunate enough to be in his care. - Yours, etc.,
Fintan Cronin, Tivoli Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.