27/02/2008
School Head Knocked Out
The police are investigating reports that a secondary school principal was punched in the face and knocked out by a pupil's relative.
Seamus Barnes, Head of St Gabriel's College in north Belfast was attacked last Tuesday morning.
Police and an ambulance crew were called in after Mr Barnes, a teacher for more than 36 years, fell to the ground unconscious.
Mr Barnes, who has been the head teacher at St Gabriel's for the past four years, said he was " disgusted" by the attack and said it raised important issues about the safety of teachers.
He said: "It happened at about 9.15am. Police are dealing with the matter. I can confirm I was assaulted by a person."
Mr Barnes said he remembers very little after the alleged punch but was told he was "out" for a few seconds.
"It was quite a shock. I was very surprised and disgusted with the whole thing. I am not marked, there was no physical damage as such.
A spokesman for the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools said: "The CCMS can confirm that an incident did take place last week at St Gabriel's College, Belfast last week.
"The incident is now the subject of a police investigation and it would be inappropriate for CCMS to comment any further until such times that the PSNI investigation is concluded."
Mr Barnes added: "This is something that shouldn't happen in any school. Schools are places that should be regarded as special and safe.
"It is unfortunate that this sort of a situation was created where there are children.
"What sort of a message is it giving them?"
(BMcC)
Seamus Barnes, Head of St Gabriel's College in north Belfast was attacked last Tuesday morning.
Police and an ambulance crew were called in after Mr Barnes, a teacher for more than 36 years, fell to the ground unconscious.
Mr Barnes, who has been the head teacher at St Gabriel's for the past four years, said he was " disgusted" by the attack and said it raised important issues about the safety of teachers.
He said: "It happened at about 9.15am. Police are dealing with the matter. I can confirm I was assaulted by a person."
Mr Barnes said he remembers very little after the alleged punch but was told he was "out" for a few seconds.
"It was quite a shock. I was very surprised and disgusted with the whole thing. I am not marked, there was no physical damage as such.
A spokesman for the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools said: "The CCMS can confirm that an incident did take place last week at St Gabriel's College, Belfast last week.
"The incident is now the subject of a police investigation and it would be inappropriate for CCMS to comment any further until such times that the PSNI investigation is concluded."
Mr Barnes added: "This is something that shouldn't happen in any school. Schools are places that should be regarded as special and safe.
"It is unfortunate that this sort of a situation was created where there are children.
"What sort of a message is it giving them?"
(BMcC)
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