Absence rates spike at schools closest to Ballymena disorder
Violent scenes broke out in Ballymena last Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl at the weekend.
Following a peaceful protest, there were attacks on the homes of some residents – as well as rioting.
Mr Givan was speaking during questions for his department in the Assembly on Monday, in response to being asked by Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole what is being done for children caught up in the disorder.
Mr Givan said is it 'outrageous' that over the last week children have been coming into school traumatised as a result of what has been happening.
'Alarmingly, we're also dealing with some children who engaged in the rioting and attacked some of the houses of the very children in their class,' he said.
'So this is an appalling situation, one which is complicated and requires intervention.
'My team have been engaged with a number of schools as a result of the picture that we have had to deal with. We have engaged the emotional wellbeing unit within the Education Authority, the intercultural services and try and provide support for these schools.'
He said Harryville Primary School and St Patrick's Primary School in Ballymena had seen absence at half of the school.
'That is a clear problem, but it's also complicated by the fact that we are dealing with children in both schools that were engaged in this trouble and children in both schools that were the victims of that trouble, and it's one that does require concerted effort, and to assure the member I and my team are very much engaged in trying to provide that support,' he said.
He added: 'I've been hugely impressed as I go around schools where I see the many different newcomers within controlled schools, Catholic maintained schools, integrated schools, and the work that goes on by the school leaders and the teachers to ensure that there is an inclusive environment where diversity is respected and indeed celebrated.
'Our schools have often been the safe haven within their communities where outside of the school walls, there have been challenges.
'What has happened in a number of these schools I find particularly alarming, and that is why there needs to be support and my team at senior levels have been engaging in respect all of this.
'I take a very simple view – there is a time and a place to debate immigration policy, but whenever you are in Northern Ireland, and particularly whenever you are a child in Northern Ireland from whatever background, you have to be treated with respect, you have to be supported, and you need to be protected, and that has not been the case over the past week, and that is wrong, and I absolutely condemn what has happened in respect of these particular issues.
'I will do all that I can to support those within our school environments that need that support.'
Mr Givan went on to say that his own family supported a family from Ukraine, with three children staying with his parents in Co Armagh.
'They went to schools that went out of their way to make them feel welcome, and they regard Northern Ireland as their home and they will be here for many years to come, and they should be welcome here in Northern Ireland,' he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Child, 2, dies after family struck by car 'smashing through barrier'
A two-year-old child has been killed after a young driver crashed into a family at a car park last night. Local news sources reported that the fledgling driver had crashed into a man, woman and a young child at Gorrell Tank car park in Whitstable, Kent. The two-year-old child was sadly confirmed dead at the scene at around 8.15pm on Saturday. A witness said the incident was 'very serious and very sad'. They told Kent Online that they had been advised by a man not to take their children to where they had parked. She added:'When my husband came back with the car, he said lots of people were crying.' A man, in his 20s, was arrested at the scene for causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody. A Kent Police spokesman appealed for witnesses and people with dash-cam footage to come forward. He said: 'Kent Police was called to the junction of Harbour Street and Cromwell Road, at 8.24pm on Saturday 16 August 2025 following a report of an incident involving a car and multiple pedestrians. 'A man suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. A two-year-old child was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene. His next of kin has been informed.' Three fire engines attended the scene of the incident, which is thought to have involved two cars. A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service said in a statement: 'We sent three ambulances and two Critical Care Paramedics to the scene. More Trending 'Our crews treated three patients at the scene – an adult male, an adult female and a young child.' 'The child was in a very serious condition and the male had received serious injuries.' Canterbury City Council, which operates the car park, said its 'thoughts are with everyone affected' by the incident. It said that the car park had since reopened and officers are on site to 'offer help and support'. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: First picture of girl, 13, who died after teen released on bail for 'murder and rape' MORE: 'One of a kind' mother dies after being found unconscious in alleyway by school MORE: 'Brazen' drug dealers selling cocaine during Mass at the UK's biggest Catholic cathedral
Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
First picture of girl, 13, who died after teen released on bail for 'murder and
(L) Casey-Louise's death is being treated as unexplained by police (Pictures: Facebook) Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old 'princess' who died in hospital sparking a rape and murder investigation. Casey-Louise, from Mossley, was found unresponsive at a home in Sheepridge Road, Huddersfield on Monday, 11 August. Her family have spoken of their heartbreak after she was pronounced deadin the early hours of Tuesday morning. The Mossley Hollins High School pupil's death is being treated as unexplained after a post-mortem could not confirm how she died. The teenager was bailed as investigations continue. (Pictures: YappApp) Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. A teenage boy, 16, was arrested on suspicion of rape and murder before being released on conditional bail. He was also released on conditional bail over a rape offence relating to a 16-year-old girl in a separate incident in Kirklees. Casey's family said they were 'absolutely devastated' in a statement on Facebook. They said: 'Suddenly and totally unexpected, on Tuesday 12th August our beautiful Casey-Louise gained her angel wings. 'Our family are absolutely devastated by this news. Can you please respect our privacy and give us time to grieve as a family. Thank you.' One family member wrote: 'Goodnight princess. I love you and miss you lots.' Another relative said: 'Didn't think I'd be writing this so soon, I love you forever my girl. I'll forever miss you.' Another said: 'Can't wait to come home and squeeze you all. Angry doesn't even cut it. Hope we get the justice our family deserves. 'Rest in peace little girl, Casey-Louise forever 13. 'I love you all the world.' Video from the scene earlier this week shows a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance by paramedics. A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 13-year-old girl in Sheepridge Road, Huddersfield.(Pictures: YappApp) A takeaway owner on the street previously told Metro: 'It's a very nice street here normally. We have a community centre and an old person's home but it is normally very quiet here. 'Customers have been coming in asking what happened but we were closed at the time. Nobody knows what happened right now. 'This is such a shock to hear about the poor girl. We are all thinking of her family. I hope they catch the right person.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: 'One of a kind' mother dies after being found unconscious in alleyway by school Arrow MORE: 'Brazen' drug dealers selling cocaine during Mass at the UK's biggest Catholic cathedral Arrow MORE: Liverpool fan arrested after Antoine Semenyo 'racially abused' at Anfield
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Westminster Cathedral turned into drug dealer haven with 'cocaine sold on pews'
Shocked churchgoers say they have seen 'brazen' drug deals taking place inside Britain's biggest Catholic church. In recent months, 130-year-old Westminster Cathedral has been swarmed with dealers pushing a range of Class A drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and the synthetic drug known as 'spice'. One regular worshipper reported seeing substances sold from a pew during Mass last week, while the horrified congregation watched. Another said that the safety and well-being of the majority had been sacrificed by a 'minority of crooks' and that, 'without any help from the authorities, ironically, all we can do is pray.' A private security officer hired to patrol the surrounding area, from Victoria Street to Pimlico, by the Thames, confirmed the revered Catholic church had become the site of drug deals. 'There are deals going on inside the cathedral, in the pews and in the quiet side-chapels too,' he said. 'That's simply because we have a presence on the streets now – along with Police Community Support Officers – which makes it more difficult to deal outside.' Churchgoers have said they're appalled at the 'desecration' of the religious site. The proliferation of drugs in the area has also led to reports of violence and anti-social behaviour, including people defecating in the street, the Daily Mail reports. The paper's reporters spotted several drug dealers operating around the cathedral, with a number of sales being made every hour to a steady stream of buyers – the majority of whom appeared to be homeless and vulnerable. Some took place in the church's exterior alcoves on Ambrosden Street, little more than 30 feet from the main altar inside. Small packages were exchanged, with dealers and buyers typically facing the walls in an attempt to go unseen. Data from Parliament's public accounts committee, released earlier this year, found Westminster had more than 7,500 people with no fixed address – the second highest homelessness rate of all London boroughs. Around 500 of those are thought to be sleeping rough. Westminster also has a high concentration of homelessness shelters and charities. The cathedral is within 500 yards of five organisations working to combat homelessness, including Passage House – a centre with 37 beds. The Daily Mail spoke to some homeless people near the church. Three said they had arrived from Eritrea six months ago and had been sleeping rough near Heathrow airport before. One said drugs were being dealt 'everywhere' around the cathedral, and described a hidden corner to the rear of the church, on private property, as a particular hotspot. Towards the end of the interview, the reporter was then offered 'snow' – the street name for cocaine, adding it was 'easy to get round here'. The cathedral has increased security measures in the area in response to the growing problem of drug dealing. Four guards now patrol its entrance and surroundings during opening hours. Ethal Bram, 79, who attends Mass weekly, told the Mail she 'wouldn't be surprised in the slightest' if drug deals were taking place inside the cathedral. 'I've seen people walking up to the altar and shouting down the microphone,' she said. 'I've seen people walk in the church just aimlessly wandering. Not sure what they're doing but again, I wouldn't be surprised if it was drug-related. It is sad because it is a place of reverence.' Martino Junior Jose, 53, is a cleaner at the cathedral. He echoed her worries, saying homeless people 'gather[ed] in the church together'. 'They have left messes in the toilet,' he added. 'I have had to ask security to remove the people. But what can you do? You cannot prohibit them from using the toilet, especially if you don't catch [them doing] anything unlawful. It's a public place, after all.' Clare Rewcastle, 66, who lives in a mansion block overlooking the cathedral, said the drug problem had 'hit like a truck' and warned the 'relevant services and authorities need to wake up'. She said: 'A lot of the problem goes back to the de-policing of the area over the past decade. 'A number of police stations have closed down, including Belgravia and – of course – Scotland Yard [has been relocated]. 'Compared to the late 1990s, there has been virtually no visible policing in the area. This drugs problem started last year and exploded this summer. 'Being next to the church, we have over the years been fairly tolerant of the odd vagrant looking for kindness around the cathedral door but this has hit like a truck and people are in the most appalling state of sickness, confusion and dying before our eyes.' An employee of the neighbouring St Paul's bookshop said she felt intimidated: 'The quantity of homeless people around the church this year is the most I have ever seen. 'I often see weird behaviour and it scares me. This is by far the worst I have seen it in my 19 years of working here.' One private security officer told the Mail police had arrested three dealers on numerous occasions – and they were well-known to authorities. He claimed the court 'let them out 48 hours later when they return to their old ways'. The newspaper discovered just one set of legal proceedings pending for the offence of drug dealing around Westminster Cathedral. Glen Bahadur, 63, was apprehended outside Clergy House, beside the cathedral, on May 16 this year for possession of cannabis and an offensive weapon – a knuckleduster. A local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) said a major issue was 'the bigger players rarely carry drugs on them. They rely on others to do the petty dealing.' Rachel Blake, the local Labour MP, chaired a meeting of residents on July 23 and followed up with an email to constituents, seen by the Daily Mail. More Trending It read: 'It is quite wrong that residents are having to live like this and that you should have to continue raising the matter with public bodies.' She also promised to create an 'action plan' in consultation with Westminster City Council, the police and 'local partners'. Westminster Cathedral told Metro it 'takes seriously any allegation of drug dealing within its premises and urges anyone who witnesses such activity to report it immediately to our security team or the police'. However, it remains adamant that 'our team has received no direct reports of drug-dealing inside the cathedral'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Liverpool fan arrested after Antoine Semenyo 'racially abused' at Anfield MORE: Murder manhunt after woman in 20s killed outside Romford care home MORE: DPD worker printed fake labels to steal expensive gadgets over Christmas period
