Latest news with #StPatricksCollege
ITV News
4 days ago
- ITV News
Children's Commissoner warns young people getting caught up in violence 'could impact their future'
Northern Ireland's Children's Commissoner is warning young people that getting caught up in violence could have a devastating impact on their futures. Responding for the first time to last week's disorder Chris Quinn described the behaviour of young people as "frightening". This comes as the Education Minister revealed on Monday that absence rates at schools closest to the disorder in Ballymena spiked following the violence in the town last week. This follows disorder which started in Ballymena last Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old Romanian boys have been charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Scores of people were arrested. To date, over 30 arrests have been made by police investigating disorder in Northern Ireland, the age of those taking part as young as 12. The Education Minister said it was alarming that some school children had been attacking homes of their peers during the 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. Speaking in Mr Givan said: "Over the past week we have been dealing with children who have been coming into school traumatized, showing all of the signs of trauma as a result of what has happened in our streets. But alarmingly, we're also dealing with some children who engaged in the rioting and attacked some of the school, houses of the very children in their class." In a statement St Patricks College said: "It would like to reassure all pupils and parents that the school will continue to be a safe place." They added, "Staff will continue to work hard for the education and pastoral support for all young people." UTV have contacted Harryville primary school for a response but they did not want to make a Ireland's Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn has condemned any young people taking part in violence and had this message: "I would urge children to stay away, we're entering into a summer period which can be challenging, and that has been the case here for a long time. "I've seen for many years how children and young people get caught up on that so I would urge them to stay away."There's lots of misinformation out there at the minute." He continued, "I would urge them to question that information and think about the sources of it, because I do believe they're getting coerced and manipulated and driven by misinformation and disinformation." As the investigation continues into finding those responsible, the PSNI has once again urged young people to stay away from violence or risk ending up with a criminal record. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Absence rates spike at schools closest to Ballymena disorder
Absence rates at schools closest to the epicentre of the disorder in Ballymena have spiked amid the violence, the Stormont Education Minister has said. 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. 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.
