The incoming Principal of St Malachy’s Primary School Armagh, Mrs Catherine Kearney, has issued a plea for the public to “leave St Brigid’s alone” after a third spate of vandalism occurred at the property.
The site of the former St Brigid’s Secondary School on the Nursery Road is to become the temporary home for St Malachy’s Primary pupils in September while construction work commences at their former site on Chapel Lane.
However, since their intentions were announced to take on temporary residence of the property it has been vandalised on numerous occasions with substantial damage caused and an amount of copper piping stolen.
Speaking to Armagh I after the most recent attack, the incoming Principal Mrs Kearney – who will be taking up the position following Mr Duggan’s retirement – said: “It’s just so disheartening. There has been extensive damage done to it.
Related: St Brigid’s in Armagh vandalised again ahead of St Malachy’s Primary move
“It’s constant. There are workmen in it now and we thought that would put people off. But there was a brick put through the window where the P1s are going just the other day and that was during the day.
“Then last night a neighbour in windmill phoned Father Barry to let him know that they saw people at it trying to break in the main front door. A lot of it is now cordoned off but they had got a metal bar that was left for clearing the school and used that to try and break in.
“Mr McKinney was able to go over and met with police who asked for our CCTV. We have cameras in place which is great so that footage will be passed to the police to help with their investigation.”
The damage is not only causing a considerable financial burden to the school but it is also adding set backs to getting the premises ready for lessons commencing in September.
St Malachy’s staff are appealing for the public to stay away from the site entirely adding that they have also now installed an alarm to the security measures already in place and have plans for additional cameras to be put up in the coming days.
Mrs Kearney continued: “It should be an exciting time. We are trying to make a home for our children for the next number of years as we prepare to come back to a lovely new build. We are trying to make St Brigid’s a site a place where the kids can learn and grow.
“There are ongoing works to get it ready for us to move in in the middle of August. We have C2K coming in in the middle of August and a removal company to help us start decanting over but these repeated attempts to vandalise are disheartening setbacks.”
Mrs Kearney is also asking the general public in Armagh city to keep a watchful eye on the property day and night and to please let the police know urgently if you see any suspicious activity.
A police spokesperson said: “Police are appealing for information following a report of criminal damage at a property in the Windmill Hill area of Armagh yesterday evening, Thursday July 3.
“Shortly before 8pm, a number of youths were reported to have broken into the building causing damage to windows.
“Anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with enquiries is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1512 03/07/25.”
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.
Speaking on the matter, Sinn Féin councillor John Og O’Kane said: “Unfortunately there has been incidents of vandalism in St Brigid’s lately. Repairing the damage is very costly, and these funds could be utilised better to improve the schooling of the local children.
“Along with St. Malachys school I am asking for the community help in this matter. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity, especially during evenings and weekends. If you witness vandalism or see anything unusual, report it immediately to local authorities.Encourage conversations with children and teens about respecting public spaces and the consequences of vandalism.
“On speaking to the PSNI, they have increased patrols in the area in order to bring an end to this vandalism behaviour.”
