Newport mum appeals for free bus pass after son’s assault (From South Wales Argus)
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Newport mum appeals for free bus pass after son’s assault
12:10pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Keiligh Baker
TERRIFIED: Rohan Ireland, 11, who was assaulted on his way home from school. Pictured with (L-R) grandmother Dilys Ireland, mum Jacqueline Ireland and grandfather Roger Ireland.
A SCHOOLBOY from Newport was left “terrified” after being assaulted on his way home from school Rohan Ireland, 11, who is severely asthmatic, was attacked as he made his way home from Caerleon Comprehensive School.
Jacqueline Ireland, 40, Rohan’s mother, said: “It happened on his way home from school.
“Rohan was rugby tackled from behind when he was walking by himself. He didn’t see the person, but we think it was one of a gang of older pupils from the school.
“He was pushed into a bush, pulled back out, pushed him to the floor and punched in the head.”
Rohan suffered a bruise on his head, scuffed hands, ripped trousers and blazer and his mother said he’s scared to walk home alone.
None of his friends walk home that way as they all get the bus.
The youngster walks to and from school because he lives just under two miles away and is not eligible for a bus pass.
After the assault on October 17, Gwent Police advised him to take a different route home, which is just over two miles.
Mrs Ireland added: “It seems the council are being really difficult for the sake of being difficult.
“It’s like they have their fingers in their ears.
“I’m a bit stuck as to what to do now.
“The police told him to walk a different route, one that is just over two miles, but still the council are refusing to give him a bus pass.
“They say it’s a matter of parental responsibility and I should pick him up. But I have work and it’s just not feasible. He’s terrified to walk home alone.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Free transport may be provided in exceptional cases where the authority agrees that the route between a home and school is dangerous.
“We have not had contact from the police or the school asking us to provide transport for this individual, however, if this should change then we would review the situation.”
Gwent Police confirmed they were called to a report of an assault on an 11-year-old boy on a footpath off Lodge Road.
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments(9)
old art
says...
2:18pm Mon 22 Oct 12
rhinestine
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3:17pm Mon 22 Oct 12
SUNSHINE ON A CLOUDY DAY
says...
5:44pm Mon 22 Oct 12
It is not nice being bullied and there is no way i would continue to let my child walk if he felt unsafe.
Hope someone in your family puts their hands in their pockets for you Rohan I know I would if you were my son or grandson x
Independentvoter
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7:13pm Mon 22 Oct 12
chris227
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9:19pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Katie Re-Registered
says...
12:57pm Tue 23 Oct 12
rhinestine
says...
2:31pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Katie Re-Registered wrote:You can state the way things should be all day long, but I am at pains to point out to you that no bus pass, council, police, or super hero will be there to protect the kid at the time when he's getting bullied.
Whilst self-defence and assertiveness classes can certainly have their place, I don't think that this - or any other - young student should have to put up with violent physical attacks such as this. If this happened to one of us adults we would expect the authorities to do something about it to ensure our safety and if they just shrugged their shoulders and said: 'you'll just have to learn to stick up for youself' then we'd probably take them to court. Supposing Rohan doesn't want to physically hit them back because it's against his political beliefs - or simply because it may not be in his nature. If this had been a girl who'd been assaulted and beaten up would society be telling her to 'man up' and beat them up? Our society seems to be stuck with the idea that physical beatings are good for boys and young males because somehow they 'toughen them up'. Yet, this is the very same society that then turns around and throws up its hands in horror when the same boys grow into adults who punch each other's heads in on a Saturday night. The police, school and the council should do something for this young person here - as no child (no-one) deserves to live their life in fear - and such childhood experiences can cause life-long damage and profoundly crippling psychological confidence issues. It should be fairly obvious that Rohan is being put in danger here and they should do something now to ensure his safety - do we really want another Damilola Taylor on our hands?
I was attacked on many an occasion, my school at the time isolated me from the bully's, but they were still waiting for me at the gates or at the local shops, it's part of growing up I am afraid, it's rife and always will be.
Learning how to look after yourself is different to fighting on a Saturday night as a pass time, when you learn a martial art or how to box, you have nothing to prove, it's only used in self-defence.
Wrapping this kid up in cotton wool and giving him hope that society will prevail and protect him will do him no good at all, neither has going to the Argus, he will be even more of a target now.
As a wise old man once said to me "arm yourself, as no one else will save you"
And this does not mean arm yourself as in weapons, it means arm yourself with the skills to survive on the streets and in life.
taffy222
says...
4:25pm Tue 23 Oct 12
old art wrote:I send my children (out of catchment) to this school. I am unemployed but am happy to pay for transport to get my children to school. I do not get (and do not expect) special treatment in the form of bus passes for my children even when on benefits!!!!
Or given that you are working, you coul pay the bus fare yourself.
rhinestine says...
12:35pm Mon 22 Oct 12
A bus pass won't help him, things happen anywhere these days.
Trust me I know, I ave asthma and was picked on no end in school, join the army cadets, join a boxing club, you will learn life skills in these kind of places that will aid you in life, more so than in school.
All the best.