Im begging you: Celebrity hairdresser Mark OKeeffe pleas for his sons education

Following an open letter to his son, Riley, explaining the devastation of having a child diagnosed with autism and why he is being denied the right to an education, celebrity hairdresser and MD Mark O'Keeffe has penned an open letter to the Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh begging for a place in school.

Dear Mr McHugh, 

My name is Mark O’Keeffe and I am the voice of my silent son, Riley O’Keeffe who is being denied access to any education because he has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Three of Riley’s siblings have the benefit of an excellent education at St Francis of Assisi Primary School in Belmayne, Dublin 13 under the guidance of an incredible lady called Assumpta Kerins.

I was so inspired by this amazing principal at a recent graduation for my eldest daughter that I asked her if she would mind if I went home and wrote her a letter after her soul-touching speech. I wanted to tell her how much I appreciated the wonderful education that my children have received in the school and to beg her to please give my five-year-old son, Riley, the benefit of an education under her capable guidance.

St Francis of Assisi’s just weeks ago moved into a stunning state-of-the-art newly built school that benefits from special needs parking spots and ramps for the benefit of any special needs access. I was so delighted when this seemingly inclusive school was specially built by the State because I assumed the school would be subject to the law that states that any newly built school must include ASD units to cater to ALL children in the community. Well, apparently not! I was devastated when Ms. Kerins recently called me, very politely refusing Riley entry giving me the usual excuses of resources etc, as well as taking the unique angle of safety concerns. Another PFO to add to my son’s enormous pile.

To add insult to injury, I just got a letter from the HSE refusing Riley access to clinical support such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological and psychiatric support. I cannot believe I am about to write this because I cannot believe that they had the audacity to write this, but the reason they have refused Riley this support is BECAUSE he is not enrolled in school. I am only laughing at this because I have no more tears left to cry.  

As you well know, Minister, the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 came into effect on December 3, 2018. This legislation provides you with a power to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.

While you were initially reluctant to invoke these powers with your department issuing a press release on your behalf as recently as April 30, 2019, stating: “The power has yet to be invoked and I believe it should only be used as a measure of last resort”, I was delighted when I recently heard that you were willing to use your legislative powers to compel a number of schools, specifically in the west Dublin area, to open special classes to cater to pupils with disabilities.

I beg you, Minister, please use every last resort you can to help Riley and other beautiful, wonderful, individually perfect, little lost souls like him. More can be done. The time is now.

Minister, this is a plea to you from an incredibly gifted and intelligent boy who is locked in silence. Please, please, please give my son access to the education to which he is entitled. Please issue a Ministerial Directive to the newly-built St Francis of Assisi in Belmayne compelling a wonderful lady called Assumpta Kerins to take my son into her care and offer him an education in an ASD unit in her school.

That school’s motto is “Be the best you can be”, let my son be the best he can be. This begins with an education. 

Minister, you are my boy’s last hope. Please, please, please do not give my son another PFO. I am publicly begging you.

Sincerely,

Mark O’Keeffe 

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