'Loyalist Threat' To Schools Condemned

Education Minister John O'Dowd has condemned an alleged threat from loyalist paramilitaries against Catholic schools in north Belfast.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, on Friday, a warning call was made to two Belfast newsrooms after a man, claiming to be from the Red Hand Defenders, said parents, pupils and teachers were not welcome at schools in "Protestant, unionist and loyalist areas".

He added that "military action" would begin today (Monday) if the threat was not taken seriously.

The three schools are Mercy Primary School, Mercy College and Holy Cross Primary School, all in north Belfast.

In a statement, Mr O'Dowd condemned the threat and said children had the right to be educated in a safe environment.

He said: "I am very disturbed to hear that a threat has been issued in relation to a number of schools in Belfast.

"Regardless of anyone's politics or views, schools should and must be havens for the young people who attend them and the staff who work there. As Education Minister my priority is to ensure that children are educated in a safe and secure environment, free from threat or intimidation. I believe this is a priority all our society should share.

"Threats such as this should be condemned by everyone in society – not just political, religious and community leaders, but all of us. Communities must unite against such threats. Whatever difficulties arise in our society, we cannot let them disrupt our schools and threaten the lives of children, young people and the staff who work there."

(JP/MH)