15 teachers absent from one local secondary school as classrooms reopen

A Longford secondary school set to re-open to today will have to do so without 15 staff.

Josephine Donoghue  is principal in Mercy Secondary School in Ballymahon and is calling for clear direction from public health officials as schools welcome students back this morning.

She feels educational facilities have put their trust in the Department's 'return to school' advice and all stakeholders must now work together to ensure they remain open.

Due to the large staff absences, student teachers are now in place to cover the shortage in the south Longford school.

Josephine says they will take things one day at a time and hopes that the Department of Education's helpline will be easy and quick to access: