Kilkenny boys with no place on school bus left sitting at home

Four little boys in Ballyhale who did not get a ticket for their local school bus are sitting at home today.

The boys, who attend from fourth class to junior infants, had their first day back at school after the summer holidays yesterday (Wednesday). They brought in their books and art supplies for the year, but just one day later are not back with their classmates.

Dad John Drennan drove his four sons on their first day back at Ballyhale NS but the busy farmer says he can not sustain the 60km a day round trip.

This morning the boys put on their uniforms and went to the bus stop where their friends had gathered, but because they have no tickets the driver could not let them on board.

The Drennan family were shocked when they didn’t get the school bus tickets this year . For the last five years their boys have taken the school bus, since eldest Theodore, who is now in fourth class, started school.

Twins Fiachra and Finlay started school last year and last September they, too, were granted places on the school bus.

However this year the youngest Drennan, Denzel, started school and none of the four boys were granted bus tickets.

Denzel, in junior infants, finishes at 12.30 for his first week in junior infants. The twins finish at 2.15pm and Theodore at 3.15pm meaning a four-time round trip of 15km.

John Drennan told the Kilkenny People that he would usually drive the boys to school on their first day in September, because they bring boxes of books and art supplies, but after that they all took the bus. “This morning we went to the bus stop. They had no ticket so couldn’t get on the bus. So we took the four lads home.”

Some of the Drennan's neighbours getting on the bus to Ballyhale NS on Thursday morning.

John told the school principal yesterday what he was planning to do. He spent the day “running and racing” to try and get his work on the farm done and his four boys to and from school.

“A bit of common sense is all that’s needed,” John said, suggesting a mini bus in the mornings would solve the problem.

The bus on this route is a 52 seater. 67 children applied for tickets this year, John says. Because there are two afternoon busses to cater for the different class finishing times the afternoon busses are not oversubscribed, he explains.

“Noone is coming up with any solution or suggestion, that’s the most frustrating part,” John said. “A small amount of money would solve this.”

John plans to attend a meeting in Kilkenny tonight (Thursday) for parents across the county who have difficulty getting bus places for their children.

The open meeting has been arranged by local representatives and will be held in Butler House, Patrick Street, at 7pm.