Vandalism at County Down Special School

A County Down special school has been attacked and vandalised, leading to damages thought to total around £30,000.

Knockevin Special School at Racecourse Hill, Downpatrick, was attacked by vandals over the weekend, causing substantial damage to both the building and surrounding property.

Six busses are reported to have been damaged, while the doors of three rooms within the school were kicked in and the rooms vandalised.

Principal Ann Cooper described the damage done to the school as "horrendous".

She told the BBC: "The medical room itself was just absolutely horrendous and that is the core service to our pupils, so we couldn’t have operated out of that room.

"Just to go through them and to see the damage that they did to our classroom and our physio room was just awful."

Staff arrived at around 09:00 on Sunday to begin clearing up and minimising the disruption to Monday’s lessons. They stayed until 15:00.

Knockevin has remained open, despite maintenance being carried out to clear up the remaining damage.

Down District Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke said the attack "beggars belief."

He said: "To vandalise both the school and trash six buses used to transport children and young people with special needs…serves absolutely no purpose.

"I would like to commend the staff in their efforts to ensure that it was business as usual for those who attend Knockevin School which serves the entire district."

Knockevin provides schooling for 89 pupils aged from three to 19 years old.

The South Education and Library Board said that arrangements had been put in place to ensure a minimum of disruption to pupils travelling to and from the school.

(I.T.)