A CATHOLIC girls' grammar school in Enniskillen has had to deal with complaints from parents who are threatening to send their children to school next week without uniforms. They are complaining that the school clothing is being sold from businesses owned by a leading Orangeman.
The uniforms for Mount Lourdes Convent Grammar School are being sold under contract by a Fermanagh businessman, Mr Roy Kells, who owns the SD Kells stores in Lisnaskea, Enniskillen, and Irvinestown, currently being boycotted by nationalists.
Nationalists boycotting his and other businesses in the aftermath of the Drumcree clashes have vowed to send their children to school without the regulatory uniforms, rather than shop in Mr Kells's stores.
Many parents have contacted the convent grammar school and local councillors to complain. There have been unconfirmed reports that the school is now selling uniforms to parents directly.
A Lisnaskea Sinn Fein councilor, Mr Gerry McHugh, has denied that his party has orchestrated the boycott but has defended it as an understandable reaction.
He said: "Definitely, families have voiced opposition and are not buying from these stores. If people wish to react in a certain way against what they see is the flaunting (sic) of the law by one side, that's their decision. That's what makes people angry."
An Independent nationalist councillor, Mr Tony McPhillips, has also said he is aware of many parents who have formally objected to the school regarding the sale of the uniforms.
The boycott has come under fire from the president of Lisnaskea Chamber of Commerce, Ms Jean McVitty, an Ulster Unionist Party councillor. She said that Mr Kells would have been awarded the contract at the start of the year.
"I would presume that Mr Kells was awarded the contract six months or more ago. Another shop in Enniskillen which stocked them had closed down. This is getting out of hand. I feel at the moment that common sense will prevail, as this boycott only divides the community. It is sad to see it happen. Why did these people not object at the beginning of the year when Mr Kells was awarded the contract, rather than doing it now?"
Mr Kells, the deputy Co Fermanagh Grand Master of the Orange Order, refused to comment, while the principal of Mount Lourdes Grammar School was unavailable for comment.