A mum whose 15-year-old son missed almost 50 days at school was told she was 'too soft' as a parent at Naas District Court.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was facing a month in jail or a €1,500 fine under laws governing school attendance.
Judge Desmond Zaidan convicted the defendant but ordered that she be referred to the Probation and Welfare Service and he adjourned the case until September 21.
The court heard that the teenage boy missed 46 days from classes during one school year.
However he is due to turn 16 later his year and will be exempt from school attendance laws.
The mother said in evidence that her son simply refused to go to school and was aggressive and verbally and physically abusive towards her.
She said: "It's terrible to say but I'm afraid of my own son."
The court heard that gardai were called after one incident in which he held his mother in a 'headlock'.
Gardai gave evidence that when they called the teenager lay on a top bunk bed and refused to communicate with them.
Expert witnesses told the court that the mother was failing to impose sanctions such as removing TV or internet access if the teen didn't go to school.
Judge Zaidan said to the woman: "Are you too soft as a mother? You let your heart rule your head. You are killing him with love.
"He is taking total advantage of you. He is the dominant figure.
"He is playing you and he has succeeded."
The mother said she had her son assessed for ADHD and she was told he didn't suffer from the condition.
But she added: "I'm concerned he has bipolar disorder. He can be very aggressive one second and the next second say: 'Mam, do you want a cup of tea?'"
After listening to the evidence, Judge Zaidan said he wasn't satisfied that the woman had made all reasonable efforts to force her son to go to school.
He convicted her of the offence under Section 25 of the Education Welfare Act, 2000.
However he referred her to the Probation and Welfare Service and ordered that a multi-agency approach with social workers be investigated in order to ensure the teenager goes to school.
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