Parents of autistic boy expelled from primary school grateful for fresh start
The family of a 13-year old Louth boy with autism who was expelled from his local primary school say they are looking forward to a new chapter as he has been allocated a place in the new school for children and teenagers with complex special needs in Castleblayney that opens in September.
Senan Maguire missed out on three months of education and was unable to make his confirmation after he was expelled from a north Louth school earlier this year.
His parents David and Tina watched as their son, who also has a moderate intellectual disability and is suffering with PTSD since the sudden, tragic death of his younger sister in 2018, struggled without the routine provided by school.
David and Tina Maguire with their son Senan
News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, July 30
While accepting that their son can present with challenging behaviour they feel that he was let down by the system.
They were told that their son's presence in the school was a threat to his safety and that of others and he was blamed for assaults leading to other people being injured.
He was suspended from the rural north Louth school seven times since January 2024 and missed making his confirmation as he hadn't been able to go to school to prepare for the sacrament.
"It's a shame how so many people let him down,' says David. 'All we wanted to do was to get him our little boy through to June so he could finish his education.'
They received the letter informing them of his expulsion on World Autism Day, April 2, and unsuccessfully sought places for him in other schools in the county as there were no available places.
'It was heart-breaking watching Senan at home, not understanding why he couldn't go to school,' recalls David.
Now, however, they are hoping that he can start a new chapter.
'We're very lucky that Senan has been allocated a place in the new school opening in Castleblayney in September,' says David.
"He also got two weeks with a behaviour therapist and he loved it, and has another week in August. He did July provision with ABACUS in Drogheda and again he had a great time.'
"He's happy again, he's dancing around. He can manage when the right setting is in place. This is all we asked for.'
David and Tina are very grateful for the support they received from the local community.
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