Gardaí probe link between 18th birthday party and Covid outbreak at Cork school
Tríonóide, Na Youghal, Co Cork Pobalscoil
Gardaí in Youghal, Co Cork believe an outbreak of Covid-19 that caused the temporary closure of the local secondary school is probably linked to a recent birthday party in the area.
Students at Pobalscoil na Tríonóide were told not to attend school today and instead return to remote learning after 11 students tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend.
It is understood some of the students had attended an 18th birthday party at a house on the outskirts of the town on April 17, at which over 30 people, including adults, were present.
The students are understood to be predominantly fifth and sixth-year pupils of the school.
A Garda spokesperson says “gardaí visited the house in recent days and an adult in attendance was issued with a €500 Covid fine for organising an event”.
The spokesperson said that over the weekend gardaí learned "of a number of (positive) cases apparently involving the school and, from inquiries, it was deduced that the source was possibly the event held at the house."
"The circumstances of the event remain under investigation”, said the spokesperson.
Gardaí contacted the school and, following negotiations with the HSE, the board of management informed the school's 975 students and 105 staff of the temporary closure today.
A message on the school’s web page says "a very detailed public health risk assessment is currently being undertaken”. Anyone identified as a close contact of the confirmed cases will be contacted and advised accordingly.
Gardaí say a walk-in testing centre is due to be set up in Midleton this week.
Rugby, soccer and GAA clubs in the Youghal region have delayed plans to recommence underage training this evening, following Garda recommendations.
Youghal GAA Club secretary Alan Hennessy says up to 300 young members were informed that the resumption of training was being deferred by a week.
“We made the decision even before gardaí contacted us he”, he says, “because some of those involved in the outbreak or their siblings would have been returning”.
Meanwhile, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide principal Séamus O’Ceallacháin says the school would not at present be commenting further on the issue but gave assurances that the school “is following all public health guidance and is continuing to implement best practice in all aspects of our Covid implementation plan”.
Mr Ó Ceallacháin said the decision was not “taken lightly but is necessary” as contact tracing is underway to ensure all close contacts have been identified.
Mr Ó Ceallacháin said closing the school for the day was the “best temporary solution” and is hopeful the school will return to normal class on Tuesday, April 27.
The principal has advised parents/guardians if their child becomes symptomatic to consult their GP.
“Pobalscoil na Tríonóide is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all our students and a safe workplace for all our staff.
“We ask that Parents/Guardians ensure that their son/daughter stay safe and if they become symptomatic, please consult your GP,” he said.
The outbreak comes just two weeks after all remaining secondary school students returned to school on April 12.