Education community condemns threat to school staff

Education Minister, Martin McGuinness has said the Loyalist threats issued against teachers and other school staff in North Belfast are “utterly outrageous and totally unacceptable".

The Education Minister spoke out following a meeting with 25 representatives from all sectors of the education system to discuss the UDA death threats made against teachers and staff in Catholic schools in North Belfast and the murder of 20-year-old postman Danny McColgan on Saturday morning.

Speaking after the unprecedented meeting, in Parliament Buildings on Monday January 14, Mr McGuinness said: “This meeting underlines how seriously the threats to the safety of teachers and other school workers are being taken across the entire education community.

“I will be considering urgently, and discussing with my colleagues on the Executive, the need for additional physical security measures in schools. We must do all we can to provide the necessary reassurance to pupils, parents and staff in the present circumstances.”

Delegates at the meeting agreed upon six major points which included the immediate lifting of the death threats, the sanctity of every child’s right to a safe environment whilst in school and the fundamental recognition of every human’s right to work free from intimidation and threat.

Mr McGuinness added: “I call on everyone to join with the education community in deploring this threat against teachers and school staff and demanding that it is lifted immediately. I again urge community leaders and local politicians to get involved in meaningful dialogue to bring the community strife in North Belfast to an end.”

In a statement released on Sunday, the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Dr John Reid appealed to everyone in the province to join together in condemnation of the recent appalling incidents: "I would appeal to the whole community without qualification - politicians and those they represent - to speak with one voice and condemn both the horrific murder of Daniel McColgan and the mindless threats to schoolteachers, postal workers and prison officers.

“This is simply the only way to isolate these evil people and to show them that they represent no-one except the past and their own sectarian and bigoted interests." (AMcE)