DUP MLA William Humphrey condemns attack on north Belfast school

DUP MLA William Humphrey has condemned the smashing of windows at a north Belfast school over the weekend.

The damage at Springhill Primary School was only discovered on Tuesday morning after staff returned after the Bank Holiday weekend.

Five double-glazed ground floor windows had been smashed and that intruders had entered the building on Ballygomartin Road.

Mr Humphrey, who is a member of the School Board of Governors, said,

“I am disgusted and outraged that Springhill Primary School has been attacked and vandalised.

“Those responsible smashed five of the window units using a heavy object at some stage over the weekend. They also gained entry to the building through one of them. There is no evidence that anything was stolen in this criminal attack.

“This attack against a much-valued and popular primary school has caused huge outrage in the local community.

“The school is an integral part of the local community and any attack upon it will not be tolerated.

“Without doubt someone will know the identity of those responsible and I appeal for that information to be brought forward and passed on to the PSNI. Those responsible must be brought to justice.

This is the first incident of vandalism which has occurred since the new double-glazing safety glass was installed two years ago.

“As a member of the Board of Governors and a local elected representative I had pushed to secure funding from BELB for that package of improvements to the school building.

“This attack has been deeply upsetting for all associated with the school, for the School Principal and his staff, for the Board of Governors and for the pupils and their parents.

“The Parent Support Group has been fund-raising to create an outdoor learning area and their positive involvement stands in stark contrast to the disgraceful actions of those who carried out this senseless and shameful crime,” added Mr Humphreys.