By Michelle Crean

For two decades they have been a huge support to pupils at St Oliver's National School but on Tuesday two members of staff retired.

The outpouring of gratitude for their years of service was very evident as colleagues bid farewell to Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) Elizabeth O'Doherty and Angela Sheerin.

RETIRING: St Oliver's NS SNA Elizabeth O'Doherty pictured with her family on Tuesday as she retired from school life. Photo: Michelle Crean

FAMILY: David Basil and Kayleigh Sheerin pictured with Angela Sheerin who retired as an SNA from St Oliver's NS on Tuesday. Photo: Michelle Crean

With a combined 42 years between them they got a fantastic send off from Principal Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Deputy Principal Sandra Chute, staff and pupils as well as the women's family who turned up for the very special lunchtime tribute.

Elizabeth, from Dalton's Avenue and originally Kilcummin, was sanctioned by the Dept of Education as part of the very first nationwide rollout of services for children with special needs in 1999.

And during her 23 career she attended the same school as her grandchildren!

"I loved every bit of it," Elizabeth told the Killarney Advertiser.

"When we started here there were 250 SNAs in the country, now there's approximately 18,000. Our role as an SNA was all about inclusion and integration, you're also an advocate for the child."

Angela, originally from Cavan and living in Flesk Grove, started as an SNA in St Oliver's in 2003.

After 19 years she's ready to take on a new challenge.

"It's was a privilege to work in such a fabulous school with great colleagues especially the children in our care," she said. "I'm looking forward to a new adventure."

Both thanked their colleagues including former Principal Rory D'Arcy and former Deputy Principal Tim Horgan saying that they both had lots of form filling and background work over the years to support children with special needs.

"There was great support from the start from Tim Horgan and Rory D'Arcy, they had a great belief in helping others."