Unconfined joy for Tipperary family after son secures place in ASD class

After conducting a brave campaign a Cahir family has secured a school place for their five-year-old son.
In total, the Barrett family had received eighteen letters of rejection for Michael who needs a place in an ASD class.

There was joy unconfined for the family on Wednesday of last week when at last they received a positive communication from a school.

The family were informed by St Michael’s National School in Tipperary Town that there was a place for Michael in their first special class.

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“I never cried so much in my life after I read the email from the school telling me they would take Michael. It was the end of six months of absolute torture,” said his relieved mother Tina.

“This means everything to our family. It is absolutely amazing,” said Tina.
Tina explained that the communication from St Michael’s school was totally unexpected.

“We were thinking nothing at all would happen over Easter with the Dáil on two weeks’ holidays. This was a total surprise to us all,” said Tina.

She thanked everybody who supported the family in the campaign for their understanding and backing.

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“We received huge support from so many people, politicians, organisations and the people of Cahir. I went shopping up the town the other day for a few things and it took me hours with so many people congratulating me and they were genuinely pleased that Michael now had a place in school to go to,” said Tina.

“I can’t wait to go out and buy his uniform and schoolbag,” said a delighted Tina.