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Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Call for supports to keep kids in school as 28k students quit before sitting LC
At least 28,500 kids due to sit their Leaving Cert or the Leaving Cert Applied over a five-year period left school early, figures have revealed. This includes 13,222 students who left school in the last two academic years alone, without completing their final exams. On average, 91% of students complete the Leaving Cert. The figures were released to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins following a series of parliamentary questions to Education Minister Helen McEntee. Deputy Cummins told the Irish Mirror that support needs to be in place to ensure that children are supported to attend school. She said schools need to have a 'designated person' whose job it is to manage children's attendance in schools She continued: 'We also need to have the wraparound services from Tusla with regards to social work for family support. 'We need to have the psychological supports for those children who have avoidance-based school refusal. Anxiety is a huge, huge issue that is being displayed in schools because children are not able to cope in mainstream school because of many, many different reasons.' The data confirmed what year students started in secondary school and how many left before completing their Leaving Cert or Leaving Cert Applied. Minister McEntee confirmed the most recent figures available concern those who began their post-primary education in 2017, and were due to complete their Leaving Certificate in the academic years 2021/22 or 2022/23, depending on whether or not they did Transition Year. Figures for the 2018 cohort finishing in 2023/24 are not complete, she stated. Of the students who started secondary school in 2017, 6,398 left before sitting their Leaving Cert, while another 803 left without doing the Leaving Cert Applied, bringing the total number to 7,201. Some 90% of students who started school in 2017 completed the Leaving Cert, while 79% sat the Leaving Applied. Of the students starting secondary school in 2016, 5,324 (8.3%) left without sitting the Leaving Cert. When the 697 children who did not sit their Leaving Cert Applied are included, the number who left school without their qualifications rose to 6,021. The number of early school leavers for those who entered post-primary education in 2015 dropped compared to other years and stood at 4,912 (7.9%). These students were due to sit their Leaving Cert in 2020 or 2021 amid large-scale pandemic disruptions. In 2020, the Leaving Cert was cancelled and predicted grades were introduced. Some 5,169 students (8.5%) who started school in 2014 and 5,259 (8.7%) who started in 2013 did not sit their Leaving Cert. It brings the total number of students who left school before sitting their exams to 28,562. McEntee also provided Deputy Cummins with data on the number of early school leavers in Deis schools compared to non-Deis schools. Across the same five-year period, an average of 15% left school before finishing their Leaving Certificate in Deis schools. However, this fell to 7% in non-Deis schools.
Irish Independent
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Record 140,457 sit Leaving, Junior and other state exams starting today
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) said the record number of candidates was 'linked to demographic increases, with the numbers entered passing 140,000 for the first time'. The number entered to take the 2025 certificate examinations has increased by 3pc (up 4,297) compared with last year's entry figure of 136,160 candidates, with the most significant increases in the numbers entered for the Leaving Cert programme (5pc) and Leaving Cert Applied programme (up 11pc). Of those sitting state exams, 61,632 are Leaving Cert candidates, 4,512 are final-year Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) candidates and 74,313 are Junior Cycle candidates. Education Minister Helen McEntee said: 'I want to send the very best wishes to all the students around the country who are starting their Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle examinations today. 'I know the amount of work and effort you have put in to reach this point. It is the culmination of many years of effort. 'This can be a very stressful time, so I would remind everyone that when it comes to examinations, all we can do is our best. An extensive logistical exercise involving the secure distribution of about four million exam papers to the examination superintendents 'We are all very much behind you over the next few weeks and I know that, regardless of the outcome of these examinations, there will be many great opportunities ahead for you all.' Students are set to sit exams in more than 800 centres nationwide, including post-primary schools and other locations. Delivery of the state examinations is an extensive logistical exercise involving the secure distribution of about four million exam papers to the examination superintendents responsible for overseeing written exams. The exams will run from today until June 24 for Leaving Cert (Established and Vocational); June 12 for Leaving Cert Applied; and June 16 for Junior Cycle exams. The SEC will apply a post-marking adjustment for the 2025 Leaving Cert examinations, once tests are completed, 'in order to bring the overall Leaving Certificate results in the aggregate on average to a point broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels'. The SEC said it aimed to issue the 2025 Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied examination results to candidates on August 22.
Irish Examiner
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Record number of students to sit State exams this year
A record number of students will today begin their Leaving Cert, Leaving Cert Applied and Junior Cycle exams as the 2025 State examinations begin. For the first time, the number of students beginning their exams today has surpassed 140,000, which the State Examination Commission (SEC) has linked to increasing demographics. Overall, the number of students set to take the 2025 exams increased by 3% when compared to last year; From 130,160 to 140,457. This includes 61,632 Leaving Certificate candidates, 4,512 final year Leaving Certificate Applied candidates and 74,313 Junior Cycle candidates. The most significant increases were recorded for the Leaving Certificate programme, up 5% when compared to 2024, and the Leaving Certificate Applied programme, which increased this year by 11%. This year also marks the beginning of moves to tackle grade inflation, which increased sharply post-pandemic. The SEC has been asked by the Department of Education to begin 'a gradual return to normal' Leaving Certificate grades in the main, which will involve a post-marking adjustment. This is expected to bring the overall Leaving Certificate results in the aggregate on average to a point broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels. Education Minister Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan wished students beginning their exams today good luck. Ms McEntee said: 'I know the amount of work and effort you have put in to reach this point. It is the culmination of many years of effort. 'This can be a very stressful time so I would remind everyone that when it comes to examinations, all we can do is our best. We are all very much behind you over the next few weeks, and I know that regardless of the outcome of these examinations, there will be many great opportunities ahead for you all.' Mr Moynihan said: 'I know the exam period can be a stressful time for students, so please do take care of yourselves and try to take some solace in the fact that there are many pathways to what you may hope to do next, some which you might not envisage at this point in time. You never know when or in what shape certain opportunities will arise. 'The skills and knowledge that you have learned during your schooling will stand to you during the examinations period, and throughout your life.' SEC chair Jacinta Stewart added: 'Today marks a real milestone in the educational journey for the thousands of candidates taking the State examinations. 'On behalf of my fellow commissioners and the staff of the SEC, I want to offer our sincere best wishes to all those taking examinations this year.' 'I also want to express my appreciation to parents and families as well as school communities for supporting these candidates at this very important time in their lives.'
Irish Examiner
03-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Mother launches 'Francis' Law' campaign to end sentence reductions for rape
A mother has launched a campaign for new legislation — called 'Francis' Law', named after her son — to end the automatic reduction of sentences during mitigation in rape cases. Mitigation covers a range of factors — from pleas of guilty to the rehabilitation of the perpetrator — which can considerably cut the final term handed down. Kildare mother Georgina Tuohey recently had a third case of rape and/or sexual assault on three of her children finish in the criminal courts. She was left outraged at the length of sentence given to her former partner, Brendan Cornally, in the last case, concerning her son Francis, who has special needs, and the overall term Cornally will serve for all three sentences. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs sentenced the 51-year-old Offaly man to five years and nine months for the rape of Francis, which, when added to the two previous sentences, gives a total sentence of 17 and a half years. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Tuohey said the sense of injustice was compounded when she was informed by the Irish Prison Service that Cornally is due to be released on March 20, 2037 — 12 years from now. When she questioned did this jail term include the five years and nine months, she was told it did and that the release date factored in the standard '25% remission for good behaviour'. What this means is that the five years and nine months Ms Justice Caroline Biggs gave to Brendan Cornally for the rape and sexual abuse of my son, he will not serve one day. That's not justice. Our justice system is not fit for purpose and needs to change. She said this was why she was campaigning for 'Francis' Law', to remove the automatic reduction of sentences through mitigation. Francis Last March, Cornally was sentenced in the Central Criminal Court for the 'habitual' rape of Francis — a then 13-year-old boy with mild autism — during most of 2018. Francis has special needs, having been diagnosed as autistic and as having a mild learning disability as a child. Ms Tuohey told the court that despite these conditions he 'excelled' and lived an independent life and completed his Leaving Cert Applied. But the court heard how Francis descended into a 'catatonic state' during the second half of 2023 and before the pending trial in 2024, when he was 18, as he relived the trauma of the abuse. Ms Justice Biggs said the expert reports found it was 'highly likely' that the trauma of the sexual abuse Francis suffered at the hands of Cornally was 'activated' by the upcoming criminal process. Ms Tuohey, who in her victim impact statement described at length the impact on Francis, said she and her son will continue to live with the devastation Cornally left in his wake. 'Brendan Cornally brutalised him,' she told the Irish Examiner. 'Catatonia is known as the ultimate regression, where you are in an unspoken state. You can't eat, you can't dress, you can't go to the bathroom. This is a young man who two years ago did his Leaving Cert Applied — and now can't cross the road. He was very independent, now he has lost all forms of independence. Throughout Francis's case — as in the two previous cases — Cornally remained largely expressionless and stared blankly ahead of him most of the time. Ms Tuohey said her intention now was not to detail the impact on Francis, but to highlight the 'deficiencies' and 'injustices' of the legal system. Headline sentence In the sentencing, Ms Justice Biggs said the greatest aggravating factor was that Cornally knew of the boy's condition when engaging in 'habitually' raping him during most of 2018, saying he showed a 'remorseless attitude' during the abuse. Ms Biggs also said Francis was 'very young and vulnerable' and that the rape happened in a dark and filthy bedroom. She said '15 years to life' was for the most extreme of cases. She said counsel for defence, John Shortt SC, thought this was not appropriate and that 10-15 years was the proper range. Ms Biggs said this was the second highest category and said that she 'agreed' with Mr Shortt. She placed the headline sentence — in effect to maximum starting point — at 15 years. Ms Tuohey said: 'I understand from being in the justice system for so long the confines people in it work within. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs may be the boss but she works in a constrained environment. Unfortunately she found herself giving a reduced sentence because of the laws, despite this being the most serious of crimes, which can attract 15 years to life. But unfortunately Irish laws are so constructed that Ms Biggs found herself confined in the sentence she was able to give.' Early guilty plea Judge Biggs said that on December 2, 2024, the guilty plea was entered, based on sample counts. She said that while Cornally could have pleaded guilty earlier, she described it as 'very significant'. She said that had Francis been required to give evidence in a trial that the effects on him could have been 'catastrophic'. Accordingly, she reduced the headline sentence from 15 to 11, based on a 25% reduction for the guilty plea. Ms Tuohey is particularly angry at this: 'You would imagine an early guilty plea means that when someone commits a crime and is charged that they admit guilt early on — but in fact in our three cases the guilty plea is on the eve of trial.' She said: 'I am looking to change policy on early guilty plea that it is within one year of being charged. This will save a lot of trauma for victims and family waiting for trial.' Remorse Ms Tuohey said Cornally apologised for his rape through his barrister, but that it meant nothing to her or her son. She said: 'He said sorry through his barrister, he didn't say it himself. It was of no benefit to me or my son. Irish law gives him mitigation for just saying it, not meaning it.' Rapist Brendan Cornally is due to be released in 2037. Picture: Proportionate Judge Biggs stressed that she was required to apply a 'proportionate' sentence. This had to take into account the gravity of the offence, the impact on Francis, and Cornally's level of culpability. It also had to take in mitigating factors, such as the personal circumstances of Cornally and legal principles, including that rape and sexual violence are the most serious of crimes. The judge said she also had to ensure that the three separate sentences for offences against the three victims were not greater than if it was one sentence for all the three victims delivered at the same time. During his submission, Mr Shortt, defending, cautioned against a 'crushing sentence', and said any consecutive sentence should not be 'manifestly disproportionate'. Judge Biggs said that when the 11 years was added to the two previous cases — which totalled 11 years and nine months — the overall sentence would be 22 years nine months. She said Cornally was 'constitutionally entitled' to a proportionate sentence and said that if all three cases were dealt with at the same time it would be 20 years. She said she was 'duty bound' to reduce the sentence from 22 years nine months to 20 years. Ms Tuohey said: 'My understanding of a proportionate sentence is to balance the punishment for the severity of the offence with the personal circumstances of the offender. Brendan Cornally was himself sexually abused as a child, that was heard in court [Judge Biggs made reference to this in mitigation]. But the extent of his culpability and the gravity of the offence, I don't think Judge Biggs took that sufficiently into account in the sentencing. Francis had special needs at the time of the rape. Francis was left in a catatonic state. He's now like a three year old. 'He has no independence. Before, he was fully independent. He was looking forward to a life in college, a life of friendships, employment and a relationship. Brendan Cornally broke my son.' Rehabilitation Judge Biggs said she also had to bear in mind the requirement to enable rehabilitation for the perpetrator, noting previous submissions from Mr Shortt about Cornally's engagement in prison activities to date and a willingness to engage in therapy. Based on a Probation report, Judge Biggs said she was further reducing the 20-year sentence by two and a half years to allow for rehabilitation and supervision on release. It brought the final sentence to 17 and a half years. This meant the sentence for the rape of Francis was five years and nine months. In court, Ms Tuohey called this an 'absolute disgrace', saying her family had been 'destroyed' by Cornally and 'implored' the judge to change her mind. Ms Justice Biggs told Ms Tuohey that she was 'sorry' but that her job as sentencing judge was to take in a number of factors and said she had 'carefully considered them'. Speaking a couple of months on, Ms Tuohey told the Irish Examiner: 'I understand the need for rehabilitation, but for certain crimes — rape, child rape and child sexual abuse — there should be lengthier sentence. 'Because of the justice system, Ms Biggs is not able to give a lengthier sentence. It's not her fault, she is bound by the rules. I don't have any adverse feeling to her. I understand her restraints — but something has to change. 'When someone commits a crime of that depravity, where there should be a lengthier sentence, judges need to be given the opportunity and right and will to exercise that.' Civil action In addition to pushing for changes to the criminal laws, Ms Tuohey is also fighting a civil case to prevent Cornally selling his house. She has taken on a solicitor but has been told it will cost her €20,000 to pay for a barrister. 'Brendan Cornally has sole ownership of a house in Tullamore and money in his bank account,' she said. 'My son has been reduced to a two-to-three year old. He cannot make any decision for himself, he can't cook, he can't even decide to wash himself, he needs help with rehabilitation — that is going to cost money. 'Brendan Cornally is trying to sell his house and I am trying to get an injunction to stop him — that comes at a cost of €20,000 and I do not have that.' Ms Tuohey said that, as exhausted as she is, her fight to change the law on mitigation will continue. 'We are not finished,' she said. 'The law needs to change. I am doing this for Francis.' Read More Mother loses appeal against sentence of ex-boyfriend who raped her children
Irish Examiner
03-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Mum campaigns for 'Francis' Law' in the sentencing of rapists
A mother has launched a campaign for new legislation — called 'Francis' Law', named after her son — to end the automatic reduction of sentences during mitigation in rape cases. Mitigation covers a range of factors — from pleas of guilty to the rehabilitation of the perpetrator — which can considerably cut the final term handed down. Kildare mother Georgina Tuohey recently had a third case of rape and/or sexual assault on three of her children finish in the criminal courts. She was left outraged at the length of sentence given to her former partner, Brendan Cornally, in the last case, concerning her son Francis, who has special needs, and the overall term Cornally will serve for all three sentences. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs sentenced the 51-year-old Offaly man to five years and nine months for the rape of Francis, which, when added to the two previous sentences, gives a total sentence of 17 and a half years. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Tuohey said the sense of injustice was compounded when she was informed by the Irish Prison Service that Cornally is due to be released on March 20, 2037 — 12 years from now. When she questioned did this jail term include the five years and nine months, she was told it did and that the release date factored in the standard '25% remission for good behaviour'. What this means is that the five years and nine months Ms Justice Caroline Biggs gave to Brendan Cornally for the rape and sexual abuse of my son, he will not serve one day. That's not justice. Our justice system is not fit for purpose and needs to change. She said this was why she was campaigning for 'Francis' Law', to remove the automatic reduction of sentences through mitigation. Francis Last March, Cornally was sentenced in the Central Criminal Court for the 'habitual' rape of Francis — a then 13-year-old boy with mild autism — during most of 2018. Francis has special needs, having been diagnosed as autistic and as having a mild learning disability as a child. Ms Tuohey told the court that despite these conditions he 'excelled' and lived an independent life and completed his Leaving Cert Applied. But the court heard how Francis descended into a 'catatonic state' during the second half of 2023 and before the pending trial in 2024, when he was 18, as he relived the trauma of the abuse. Ms Justice Biggs said the expert reports found it was 'highly likely' that the trauma of the sexual abuse Francis suffered at the hands of Cornally was 'activated' by the upcoming criminal process. Ms Tuohey, who in her victim impact statement described at length the impact on Francis, said she and her son will continue to live with the devastation Cornally left in his wake. 'Brendan Cornally brutalised him,' she told the Irish Examiner. 'Catatonia is known as the ultimate regression, where you are in an unspoken state. You can't eat, you can't dress, you can't go to the bathroom. This is a young man who two years ago did his Leaving Cert Applied — and now can't cross the road. He was very independent, now he has lost all forms of independence. Throughout Francis's case — as in the two previous cases — Cornally remained largely expressionless and stared blankly ahead of him most of the time. Ms Tuohey said her intention now was not to detail the impact on Francis, but to highlight the 'deficiencies' and 'injustices' of the legal system. Headline sentence In the sentencing, Ms Justice Biggs said the greatest aggravating factor was that Cornally knew of the boy's condition when engaging in 'habitually' raping him during most of 2018, saying he showed a 'remorseless attitude' during the abuse. Ms Biggs also said Francis was 'very young and vulnerable' and that the rape happened in a dark and filthy bedroom. She said '15 years to life' was for the most extreme of cases. She said counsel for defence, John Shortt SC, thought this was not appropriate and that 10-15 years was the proper range. Ms Biggs said this was the second highest category and said that she 'agreed' with Mr Shortt. She placed the headline sentence — in effect to maximum starting point — at 15 years. Ms Tuohey said: 'I understand from being in the justice system for so long the confines people in it work within. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs may be the boss but she works in a constrained environment. Unfortunately she found herself giving a reduced sentence because of the laws, despite this being the most serious of crimes, which can attract 15 years to life. But unfortunately Irish laws are so constructed that Ms Biggs found herself confined in the sentence she was able to give.' Early guilty plea Judge Biggs said that on December 2, 2024, the guilty plea was entered, based on sample counts. She said that while Cornally could have pleaded guilty earlier, she described it as 'very significant'. She said that had Francis been required to give evidence in a trial that the effects on him could have been 'catastrophic'. Accordingly, she reduced the headline sentence from 15 to 11, based on a 25% reduction for the guilty plea. Ms Tuohey is particularly angry at this: 'You would imagine an early guilty plea means that when someone commits a crime and is charged that they admit guilt early on — but in fact in our three cases the guilty plea is on the eve of trial.' She said: 'I am looking to change policy on early guilty plea that it is within one year of being charged. This will save a lot of trauma for victims and family waiting for trial.' Remorse Ms Tuohey said Cornally apologised for his rape through his barrister, but that it meant nothing to her or her son. She said: 'He said sorry through his barrister, he didn't say it himself. It was of no benefit to me or my son. Irish law gives him mitigation for just saying it, not meaning it.' Rapist Brendan Cornally is due to be released in 2037. Picture: Proportionate Judge Biggs stressed that she was required to apply a 'proportionate' sentence. This had to take into account the gravity of the offence, the impact on Francis, and Cornally's level of culpability. It also had to take in mitigating factors, such as the personal circumstances of Cornally and legal principles, including that rape and sexual violence are the most serious of crimes. The judge said she also had to ensure that the three separate sentences for offences against the three victims were not greater than if it was one sentence for all the three victims delivered at the same time. During his submission, Mr Shortt, defending, cautioned against a 'crushing sentence', and said any consecutive sentence should not be 'manifestly disproportionate'. Judge Biggs said that when the 11 years was added to the two previous cases — which totalled 11 years and nine months — the overall sentence would be 22 years nine months. She said Cornally was 'constitutionally entitled' to a proportionate sentence and said that if all three cases were dealt with at the same time it would be 20 years. She said she was 'duty bound' to reduce the sentence from 22 years nine months to 20 years. Ms Tuohey said: 'My understanding of a proportionate sentence is to balance the punishment for the severity of the offence with the personal circumstances of the offender. Brendan Cornally was himself sexually abused as a child, that was heard in court [Judge Biggs made reference to this in mitigation]. But the extent of his culpability and the gravity of the offence, I don't think Judge Biggs took that sufficiently into account in the sentencing. Francis had special needs at the time of the rape. Francis was left in a catatonic state. He's now like a three year old. 'He has no independence. Before, he was fully independent. He was looking forward to a life in college, a life of friendships, employment and a relationship. Brendan Cornally broke my son.' Rehabilitation Judge Biggs said she also had to bear in mind the requirement to enable rehabilitation for the perpetrator, noting previous submissions from Mr Shortt about Cornally's engagement in prison activities to date and a willingness to engage in therapy. Based on a Probation report, Judge Biggs said she was further reducing the 20-year sentence by two and a half years to allow for rehabilitation and supervision on release. It brought the final sentence to 17 and a half years. This meant the sentence for the rape of Francis was five years and nine months. In court, Ms Tuohey called this an 'absolute disgrace', saying her family had been 'destroyed' by Cornally and 'implored' the judge to change her mind. Ms Justice Biggs told Ms Tuohey that she was 'sorry' but that her job as sentencing judge was to take in a number of factors and said she had 'carefully considered them'. Speaking a couple of months on, Ms Tuohey told the Irish Examiner: 'I understand the need for rehabilitation, but for certain crimes — rape, child rape and child sexual abuse — there should be lengthier sentence. 'Because of the justice system, Ms Biggs is not able to give a lengthier sentence. It's not her fault, she is bound by the rules. I don't have any adverse feeling to her. I understand her restraints — but something has to change. 'When someone commits a crime of that depravity, where there should be a lengthier sentence, judges need to be given the opportunity and right and will to exercise that.' Civil action In addition to pushing for changes to the criminal laws, Ms Tuohey is also fighting a civil case to prevent Cornally selling his house. She has taken on a solicitor but has been told it will cost her €20,000 to pay for a barrister. 'Brendan Cornally has sole ownership of a house in Tullamore and money in his bank account,' she said. 'My son has been reduced to a two-to-three year old. He cannot make any decision for himself, he can't cook, he can't even decide to wash himself, he needs help with rehabilitation — that is going to cost money. 'Brendan Cornally is trying to sell his house and I am trying to get an injunction to stop him — that comes at a cost of €20,000 and I do not have that.' Ms Tuohey said that, as exhausted as she is, her fight to change the law on mitigation will continue. 'We are not finished,' she said. 'The law needs to change. I am doing this for Francis.' Read More Mother loses appeal against sentence of ex-boyfriend who raped her children
