Concerns about health risks have prompted the parents of children attending a Co Donegal primary school to withdraw them from classes until further notice.
Pupils at Gortahork national school were taken home before lunchtime yesterday as parents stepped up their campaign to highlight problems at the school, which include rodents in the play area, e-coli being washed up at high tide and into the grounds, and sewage-related problems.
"We don't want our children to be away from school and this was a last resort, but it is in an unacceptable condition," explained Mr Vincent Collum, spokesperson for the parents' committee.
"What we have reminds me of seeing television pictures of something from the Third World. There are poison boxes for rodents in the playground and also in the main hall where the children eat their lunch and the smell of urine is unbelievable.
"We are meant to be in a prosperous country. Our children are our future and we have to get things right for them. We are not going to tolerate this any more," Mr Collum said.
He claimed that there was a serious health risk to the 119 pupils at the 74-year-old school and contended that it if the building concerned were a workplace, it would be shut down immediately.
The Department of Education and Science, in a statement, said that "the question of a rat infestation in Gortahork national school is a matter to be dealt with by the school management, using their devolved grant. The school receives in excess of €5,000 annually for the devolved grant. The aim of the devolved grant is to assist schools in dealing with day-to-day maintenance and health and safety issues."
It is understood that the school is not on any priority list for new accommodation, although a Department official recently visited and a report will soon be submitted to the planning unit of the Department. This report will be used to assess whether a new school is required.