97 windows broken at Garvagh School

Garvagh High School on Main Street was attacked between 3.30pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday morning.

Glaziers were busy at work on Bank Holiday Monday replacing 97 windows in the school.

Acting Principal Jim Wilkins told the Times today: "Just last week we were celebrating the success of our pupils in their GCSE exams, - they had performed so very well.

"They started at the front of the school at my office and worked their way around the back from the library to the other classrooms where they could not be seen.

"The cost of the damage is difficult to assess but it could be anything from 10,000 to 15,000 which would include an emergency call out fee to the glaziers on Saturday.

"My understanding was that they had to get more wood to board up the windows.

"I would hope that the glaziers would be finished their work today."

Mr Wilkins added: "We are sad and disappointed that this has happened and wonder why people would do such a thing.

"But on the positive side I am relieved that they did not go into the school to cause more damage.

"No one was hurt and the windows can be fixed. We now have a job to do to provide a secure teaching environment for our pupils."

Sixteen first year pupils will begin school today (Tuesday) with the other 105 starting tomorrow.

Mr Wilkins went on: "The staff have been phoning to see if there is anything they can do and the caretaker and ancillary staff have done an excellent job.

"There is some talk about fencing off the site at the back of school facing the forest but it would be a shame to do that because it is such a lovely location."

Mr Wilkins said he did not know who was responsible for such an attack.

Councillor Sam Cole said: "This wanton vandalism on Garvagh High School last weekend is the latest manifestation of uncontrolled antisocial behaviour in Garvagh carried out by mindless morons.

"It is incomprehensible why anyone would take it upon themselves to attack a local secondary school preparing to open for a new term with such a degree of viciousness, breaking 90-plus windows in the building.

"Several business premises in Main Street were also targeted a few weeks ago and had their shop windows smashed.

"People in Garvagh are uneasy and are asking why the local police are unable to get on top of these vandals and bring them to justice.

"We are trying our best to promote Garvagh for regeneration projects including our new Sports Centre opening next week and this continued violence is only serving to give the town a bad name. We need arrests and convictions to stem this lawlessness and to bring a sense of confidence and stability to the local Garvagh community".

Local MLA Adrian McQuillan, who visited the school on Saturday, also expressed his shock at the scale of the vandalism.

"This was a disgustuing attack not just on the school but on the community in general.

"I have consistently called for more police presence in Garvagh to tackle the wave of criminal damage to businesses and property in the town."

Detectives in Coleraine are investigating the incident. They have appealed for anyone who witnessed the vandalism, or has any information about it, to contact them at Coleraine police station on 0845 600 8000.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111.