Menu
29/07/2009
Latest School Fire Probed
Vandals have again set fire to a school in north Belfast.
The PSNI are investigating after the canteen at Stella Maris School on the Shore Road was attacked overnight.
It was also found that paint had been thrown over the building when the blaze was discovered at 2am on Wednesday.
After the fire, the police appealed for people living near schools to be vigilant and contact them about suspicious activity as the number of incidents increase.
It is the fourth school to be targeted by arsonists in the greater Belfast area in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, the DUP MLA Nigel Dodds spoke out against such attacks and condemned one that took place just a short distance from the latest incident, at the Star of the Sea Primary School.
He said that attack in his constituency was "a despicable and apparently sectarian attack which will be rejected by all right-thinking people".
The school's Principal Kieran McGarry said it was a 'welcoming school' that enjoyed good relations with its neighbours.
"Our policy within school is to teach the children to show respect and tolerance to all people."
Another apparently sectarian attack was at St Patrick's College, Bearnageeha, on Belfast's Antrim Road.
That attack was quickly followed by a devastating fire on a school in nearby Newtownabbey - which almost completely destroyed Whitehouse Primary School.
However, earlier this week, plans for a replacement facility for the fire-hit Whitehouse Primary School were said to be progressing well.
Soon after visiting the ruined school site, the Northern Ireland Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, said: "Plans are well under way to enable the use of spare capacity in Newtownabbey Community High School supplemented with mobile classrooms so children can return to school after the summer break," and also noted that the Department is also working to progress the planned new school as quickly as possible and that construction can start later this year.
"Whitehouse Primary, like many schools, plays an important role in the life of the community and it is important strong support is offered to get the school operational as soon as possible," she concluded, on Monday.
See: Minister Slams School Arson Attacks
(BMcC/JM)
The PSNI are investigating after the canteen at Stella Maris School on the Shore Road was attacked overnight.
It was also found that paint had been thrown over the building when the blaze was discovered at 2am on Wednesday.
After the fire, the police appealed for people living near schools to be vigilant and contact them about suspicious activity as the number of incidents increase.
It is the fourth school to be targeted by arsonists in the greater Belfast area in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, the DUP MLA Nigel Dodds spoke out against such attacks and condemned one that took place just a short distance from the latest incident, at the Star of the Sea Primary School.
He said that attack in his constituency was "a despicable and apparently sectarian attack which will be rejected by all right-thinking people".
The school's Principal Kieran McGarry said it was a 'welcoming school' that enjoyed good relations with its neighbours.
"Our policy within school is to teach the children to show respect and tolerance to all people."
Another apparently sectarian attack was at St Patrick's College, Bearnageeha, on Belfast's Antrim Road.
That attack was quickly followed by a devastating fire on a school in nearby Newtownabbey - which almost completely destroyed Whitehouse Primary School.
However, earlier this week, plans for a replacement facility for the fire-hit Whitehouse Primary School were said to be progressing well.
Soon after visiting the ruined school site, the Northern Ireland Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, said: "Plans are well under way to enable the use of spare capacity in Newtownabbey Community High School supplemented with mobile classrooms so children can return to school after the summer break," and also noted that the Department is also working to progress the planned new school as quickly as possible and that construction can start later this year.
"Whitehouse Primary, like many schools, plays an important role in the life of the community and it is important strong support is offered to get the school operational as soon as possible," she concluded, on Monday.
See: Minister Slams School Arson Attacks
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
11 August 2016
Fire At L'Derry Primary School Being Treated As Suspicious
A fire at a L'Derry primary school is believed to have been started deliberately. The fire at the Good Shepherd Primary School, in the Waterside area of the city, was reported shortly before 8pm on Wednesay night, 10 August.
Fire At L'Derry Primary School Being Treated As Suspicious
A fire at a L'Derry primary school is believed to have been started deliberately. The fire at the Good Shepherd Primary School, in the Waterside area of the city, was reported shortly before 8pm on Wednesay night, 10 August.
06 December 2024
New Bill To Make School Uniforms More Affordable
Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the Executive's decision to allow the preparation of a new School Uniforms Bill. The proposed legislation aims to make school uniforms more affordable for parents by requiring schools to prioritise affordability in their uniform policies.
New Bill To Make School Uniforms More Affordable
Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the Executive's decision to allow the preparation of a new School Uniforms Bill. The proposed legislation aims to make school uniforms more affordable for parents by requiring schools to prioritise affordability in their uniform policies.
18 July 2011
Final Roll Call For Two Primary Schools
Two Co Antrim primary schools are to close because of falling rolls. The Sinn Fein Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has approved a proposal to close Lourdes Primary School, Whitehead: "I have agreed to the closure [because of] a decline in enrolments in recent years [that] has given rise to concern.
Final Roll Call For Two Primary Schools
Two Co Antrim primary schools are to close because of falling rolls. The Sinn Fein Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has approved a proposal to close Lourdes Primary School, Whitehead: "I have agreed to the closure [because of] a decline in enrolments in recent years [that] has given rise to concern.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
