Northern Ireland News

Two primary schools in Northern   Ireland have made the news this week. The first after a pipe-bomb was found in a hedge at Harryville Primary School in Ballymena, Co Antrim, shortly after 9am yesterday. Later in the same day several other devices where found and the children were sent home for the day. The headteacher of the school, Mrs Meikle, hit out at those who left the device saying, "How dare they endanger children's lives?  It is absolutely disgusting, despicable. Who do they think they are?" Words really can’t describe what I feel about this incident – particularly if children had got injured or killed.  More details are available at the BBC, Guardian or Times website.

The second school, Mersey Street Primary   School, is fighting hard for its survival according to BBC News. Falling numbers mean that this could be the last school year for the school. At one time it would have had 900 pupils. Now just 80 children remain. If Belfast Education and Library Board has its way, it'll shut forever in August 2006.