'SHE TURNED HER BACK ON SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY'

PARENTS of special needs children in Monaghan have said they are disappointed in presidential candidate Heather Humphreys.

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

There was no dedicated special school in the county until last week, leaving children in unsuitable classrooms or travelling to Cavan every day.

After years of campaigning, the Monaghan Community Special School finally opened its doors this October.

But it didn't come without serious graft from heartbroken parents who wanted their child to thrive in the right school environment.

Kathleen Maguire, whose 12-year-old son Ciaran struggled immensely before the school opened its doors, claims the Fine Gael candidate was "complicit" in letting the county remain with no special school and only one respite house.

The Aras hopeful was a TD for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency from 2011 to 2024, and was Minister for Social Protection before she decided not to contest in last year's general election.