'We're taking to the streets' Kolbe gets huge Laois support
The people of Laois have come out in their droves to an emergency meeting for a special school knocked off the building list.
Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise teaches 43 of the most vulnerable and profoundly disabled children in the county, in wet, mouldy, cramped prefabs.
They have shockingly no longer a sensory room nor a PE hall, with health and safety a big concern.
Their new school promised since 2000 was knocked off the Department of Education's building list last week "with the stroke of a pen" leaving parents and staff bewildered and betrayed.
On Wednesday night, the community crammed into St Mary's Hall in Portlaoise, standing for hours and cheering in support.
A public march is promised, if the decision is not reversed within two weeks.
The principal is Orlagh Mahon.
"If we don't have an answer we're taking to the streets. Everyone in Laois is behind Kolbe now. They don't feel they're on their own now," she said, to cheers.
Laois politicians Minister Sean Fleming and Deputy Charlie Flanagan promised them that the removal will be reversed and it will not delay the build, but people are not convinced.
One parent said her child was 13 back in 2003 when a school was promised, and he is now 36.
"We are still not anywhere near a new school. I'll take your promise with a pinch of salt, we heard it all before," she said.
The new school building has planning approval to be built next to the current building, with preliminary site works by ESB begun recently.