Absence rates spike at schools closest to Ballymena disorder
Paul Givan said 84 newcomer children at Harryville Primary School have not been attending, while attendance is at around 65% at St Patrick's College.
The Assembly also heard on Monday that the Housing Executive provided emergency temporary accommodation for 16 households in Mid and East Antrim, as well as advice for 50 households as a result of the unrest.
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.
Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole (Liam McBurney/PA)
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.'
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
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.
Education Minister Paul Givan (Liam McBurney/PA)
'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.
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Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Community left in ‘great fear', as priest ‘progressing' after attack
It came as hundreds of shocked parishioners gathered for a special mass in Co Down. A priest who was seriously assaulted at the weekend is now 'comfortable and stable' in hospital. Fr John Murray is 'progressing' in his recovery, a colleague said. It came as hundreds of shocked parishioners gathered for a special mass in Co Down this morning. A man in his 30s continues to be questioned over murder and attempted murder. Shortly before mass on Sunday, Fr Murray was approached by a man in his 30s in a distressed state, reportedly shouting and crying out in St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick. Fr John Murray. Photo: Pacemaker It is reported the man sought to have Fr Murray hear his confession in the sacristy. However, the suspect is said to have assaulted the priest by hitting him on the head with a bottle. Fr Murray sustained a serious head injury and is being treated in a hospital in Belfast. Fr Murray was due to retire on Thursday, and had been preparing to celebrate his last mass as parish priest. It is believed that the murder of local grandfather Stephen Brannigan, who was found in the Marian Park area of the town on the same day, is connected to the assault. Stephen Brannigan This morning a special mass for Fr Murray is taking place in Downpatrick. It is being celebrated by Bishop Alan McGuckian in St Colmcille's Churchin support of the Brannigan family and for Fr Murray. Bishop McGuckian said: 'At a moment like this when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, 'What is going on? What is happening to us?' Jesus comes to us.' He added: 'Despite the terrible things we have to bare, the horrible things we have to bare we are a people of hope.' The church was packed with parishioners. Speaking at the scene, former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, who is from Downpatrick, said people wanted to show their support for those affected. St Patrick's Church, St Patrick's Avenue, Downpatrick. Inset: Fr John Murray News in 90 Seconds - August 12th "First of all I want to offer my sympathy and my condolences to the Brannigan family on the sad death and passing of Stephen in such tragic circumstances,' she said. 'Of course I know Fr John, he has been parish priest here for the last 11 years and he provided excellent pastoral stewardship in the very big Catholic parish of Downpatrick. "He has been very strong on ecumenical relations, particularly here with the Church of Ireland cathedral in Downpatrick. "So for all of those reasons I wanted to come here today to show that support, that solidarity with Fr John and wish him a very speedy recovery.' Speaking before the mass, Fr Martin Graham said there was a lot of shock at recent events. 'From what we understand [his condition] is comfortable and stable. And that is all we have been told,' said Fr Graham told Good Morning Ulster. 'He is progressing. There is a family grieving as well, there are two daughters, there is a dad, there are grandchildren grieving their grandad. 'It is important for us to remember the Brannigan family in all of this. That they get support, they have the support of the parish as well. 'The mass this morning is going to be a very simple, gentle mass. The bishop will offer it to support people of the town, to support the Brannigan family. 'Downpatrick, like every other town, has its problems. But the level of violence that took place on Sunday really upset the people of Downpatrick. 'That's why, even on Sunday evening, the parishioners themselves came together in St Brigid's Church to pray for an support each other.' On Monday night the family of Mr Brannigan released a statement outlining their sense of loss. Fr Graham added: 'They [the family] were willing to make that statement last night, it was absolutely heart-breaking but also so wonderful that they were able to sit down and compose something, which is so difficult to write at the best of times, but to write that in these circumstances, it was just so beautiful of them. 'Fr Murray would have been really appreciative of it, as they are appreciative of the fact that he is also praying for them.'People went to mass that Sunday morning expecting to say goodbye to him and put their arm around him to say goodbye and I think, please God, he will be able to come back and join them for another mass just where they can be able to show them the love that they have for him.'
Sunday World
a day ago
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Community left in ‘great fear', mass told, as priest is ‘progressing' after attack
It came as hundreds of shocked parishioners gathered for a special mass in Co Down. Fr John Murray is 'progressing' in his recovery, a colleague said. It came as hundreds of shocked parishioners gathered for a special mass in Co Down this morning. A man in his 30s continues to be questioned over murder and attempted murder. Shortly before mass on Sunday, Fr Murray was approached by a man in his 30s in a distressed state, reportedly shouting and crying out in St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick. Fr John Murray. Photo: Pacemaker It is reported the man sought to have Fr Murray hear his confession in the sacristy. However, the suspect is said to have assaulted the priest by hitting him on the head with a bottle. Fr Murray sustained a serious head injury and is being treated in a hospital in Belfast. Fr Murray was due to retire on Thursday, and had been preparing to celebrate his last mass as parish priest. It is believed that the murder of local grandfather Stephen Brannigan, who was found in the Marian Park area of the town on the same day, is connected to the assault. Stephen Brannigan This morning a special mass for Fr Murray is taking place in Downpatrick. It is being celebrated by Bishop Alan McGuckian in St Colmcille's Churchin support of the Brannigan family and for Fr Murray. Bishop McGuckian said: 'At a moment like this when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, 'What is going on? What is happening to us?' Jesus comes to us.' He added: 'Despite the terrible things we have to bare, the horrible things we have to bare we are a people of hope.' The church was packed with parishioners. Speaking at the scene, former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, who is from Downpatrick, said people wanted to show their support for those affected. St Patrick's Church, St Patrick's Avenue, Downpatrick. Inset: Fr John Murray News in 90 Seconds - August 12th "First of all I want to offer my sympathy and my condolences to the Brannigan family on the sad death and passing of Stephen in such tragic circumstances,' she said. 'Of course I know Fr John, he has been parish priest here for the last 11 years and he provided excellent pastoral stewardship in the very big Catholic parish of Downpatrick. "He has been very strong on ecumenical relations, particularly here with the Church of Ireland cathedral in Downpatrick. "So for all of those reasons I wanted to come here today to show that support, that solidarity with Fr John and wish him a very speedy recovery.' Speaking before the mass, Fr Martin Graham said there was a lot of shock at recent events. 'From what we understand [his condition] is comfortable and stable. And that is all we have been told,' said Fr Graham told Good Morning Ulster. Read more 'He is progressing. There is a family grieving as well, there are two daughters, there is a dad, there are grandchildren grieving their grandad. 'It is important for us to remember the Brannigan family in all of this. That they get support, they have the support of the parish as well. 'The mass this morning is going to be a very simple, gentle mass. The bishop will offer it to support people of the town, to support the Brannigan family. 'Downpatrick, like every other town, has its problems. But the level of violence that took place on Sunday really upset the people of Downpatrick. 'That's why, even on Sunday evening, the parishioners themselves came together in St Brigid's Church to pray for an support each other.' On Monday night the family of Mr Brannigan released a statement outlining their sense of loss. Fr Graham added: 'They [the family] were willing to make that statement last night, it was absolutely heart-breaking but also so wonderful that they were able to sit down and compose something, which is so difficult to write at the best of times, but to write that in these circumstances, it was just so beautiful of them. 'Fr Murray would have been really appreciative of it, as they are appreciative of the fact that he is also praying for them.'People went to mass that Sunday morning expecting to say goodbye to him and put their arm around him to say goodbye and I think, please God, he will be able to come back and join them for another mass just where they can be able to show them the love that they have for him.'
