Principal fearful after new arson attack on school

THE PRINCIPAL of a Co Leitrim secondary school says he is fearful the building may be targeted again following a second arson attack in six months.

Pádraig Leyden, principal of Meánscoil Fatima in Ballinamore, said he was mystified by the arson attacks.

One wing of the school comprising classrooms and a staff room was destroyed when an accelerant was used to start a fire last January.

Last Thursday morning, one classroom was badly damaged by smoke after an accelerant was sprinkled through two rooms. It appears the second fire failed to take hold and damage was limited.

At a public meeting in Ballinamore this week, Carrick-on-Shannon-based Garda Insp Jim Delaney said he was satisfied the attack came from “within the community”.

Insp Delaney reassured locals that he did not believe there was any threat to private buildings or homes. It appeared the same perpetrators were responsible for both attacks.

“It certainly looks like the same handiwork,” said Mr Leyden, adding that the same pane of glass on the front door had been smashed to gain access and rooms were doused with an accelerant both times.

He said nobody had ever been expelled from the school and he was not aware of anyone having a grudge against it.

“I genuinely cannot think of anyone with a normal mindset who would have a grudge. We are mystified. It could be anyone.”

He paid tribute to locals who had ensured students missed just one day following both fires.

Last Thursday evening, after a Garda technical examination was complete, local volunteers scrubbed down the classrooms to ensure they was ready for the following day.

The community in Ballinamore has been campaigning for a new community school for several years following the amalgamation of Meánscoil Fatima, the former girls school, with the vocational school and St Felim’s, which catered for boys only.

Mr Leyden said he did not believe there was any link between the campaign for a new building and the recent attacks.