26/11/2001

Belfast primary school targeted in arson attack

More than 100 primary six and primary seven pupils at a Belfast school have been told not to attend school after an arson attack at the weekend damaged classrooms.

In all three classrooms at St Anne’s primary school in Dunmurry were destroyed in a fire causing damage estimated at a quarter of a million pounds.

A car, which had been stolen in Twinbrook in west Belfast, was driven up against the side of the school and set alight. The police have ruled out a sectarian motive.

The alarm was raised by a passing taxi driver at about 4.30am on Sunday November 25 when flames were seen coming from the school.

Parish priest Monsignor Thomas Bartley, who lives in the school grounds, said somebody had driven a car down some steps close to the school before setting it alight.

The school principal, Jim Tiernan, said the classrooms affected were used by the older children at the school. (AMcE)

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