Ceiling collapse school to get repairs

At the time the school was told there was no money to replace the prefab with a permanent structure. Yesterday they heard they had made the list for rebuilding and work is due to start in 2004.

"When I made the announcement over the intercom you could just hear the roar go up around the school. The children and staff are just delighted that they are finally getting permanent classrooms," school principal Mr Stephen Cahill said.

St Nessan's has 19 permanent classrooms with about 590 pupils. The remaining children, some 140, are taught in six prefabs in the yard. "Since the mid-1990s, we've needed new classrooms - but at least now things are getting done," staff member Mr Gerry O'Sullivan said.