School arson attack ’sectarian’
An arson attack on a Catholic primary school in County Antrim is being treated as sectarian by police.
Fire crews were called to Saint Louis Primary School on the Cullybackey Road in Ballymena at about 2300 BST on Tuesday.
A window had been broken and liquid poured in and set alight. One classroom was destroyed and ten others sustained smoke damaged.
On Monday, nearby Saint Mary’s Primary School was attacked with petrol bombs.
Windows were smashed and damage estimated at £1,000 was caused to the school in the Harryville area of the town.
Superintendent Terry Shevlin said police had allocated extra resources to the area following the spate of recent attacks.
“Over the past few weeks we have received additional resources following other incidents and the latest new resources will enable me to mount static police operations at vulnerable targets, such as Catholic schools,” he said.
Police have employed more resources in the area
“This is in addition to patrols in places like Dunclug, Ahoghill and Harryville, where there have been recent disturbances, and patrols aimed at disrupting the activities of those involved in the loyalist feud.”
Sinn Fein assembly member Philip McGuigan has condemned those responsible.
“This is another disgraceful attack on a primary school in Ballymena,” he said.
“People are absolutely sickened and disgusted at this continuing campaign.”
SDLP councillor Declan O’Loan said such attacks could not be blamed on a tiny section of the community and indicated a deep communal problem in the area.
“It is absolutely essential that the elected representatives go far beyond condemnation and start examining the primary causes of this very determined sectarian campaign against Catholic buildings,” he said.
Meanwhile, separate attack in County Antrim is also being treated as sectarian by police.
Paint was thrown at a house in Bleach Green Avenue in Newtownabbey on Tuesday night, damaging windows and walls.
DUP MP for East Antrim Sammy Wilson said he strongly condemned the attack.
“I don’t suppose there is any point in me making appeals because I suspect the people who carry out these acts are well beyond the persuasion of politicians,” he said.
“I think the community needs to be vigilant, anything that is seen suspicious needs to be reported to the police, the police must be active.”
