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| Elmgrove Primary School, Belfast, intends to reopen on Monday after email threat | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The principal of an east Belfast primary school that is closed on Friday after a "malicious" threat sent via email has said it is their intention to reopen on Monday. | |
| Jayne Jeffers said it would be engaging with the police and the Belfast Education and Library Board. | |
| She said it planned to confirm the Monday opening to parents on Sunday via text and its website. | |
| Previously Elmgrove Primary School had said it would be closed on Friday. | |
| It said this was due to "unforeseen circumstances". | |
| The police said they were investigating a report of "malicious telecommunications" reported to them on Wednesday 21 January. | The police said they were investigating a report of "malicious telecommunications" reported to them on Wednesday 21 January. |
| A 33-year-old man was arrested in Belfast on Thursday night in connection with it. | A 33-year-old man was arrested in Belfast on Thursday night in connection with it. |
| The PSNI had said "the communication was of a threatening nature" and said they were working with Irish police. | The PSNI had said "the communication was of a threatening nature" and said they were working with Irish police. |
| Extra police patrols had been deployed in the vicinity of the school on the Beersbridge Road. | Extra police patrols had been deployed in the vicinity of the school on the Beersbridge Road. |
| East Belfast MP Naomi Long said the email had been sent to "third parties", not directly to the school. | East Belfast MP Naomi Long said the email had been sent to "third parties", not directly to the school. |
| "My understanding is that the school only became aware, the principal only became aware of this, yesterday [Thursday] afternoon and she then immediately notified the board," she said. | "My understanding is that the school only became aware, the principal only became aware of this, yesterday [Thursday] afternoon and she then immediately notified the board," she said. |
| "I think the important thing yesterday was to ensure the children were safe, that they weren't going to be in the school today. I think that was a sensible precaution to take in the circumstances." | "I think the important thing yesterday was to ensure the children were safe, that they weren't going to be in the school today. I think that was a sensible precaution to take in the circumstances." |
| Mrs Long said Irish police had been involved in the investigation. | Mrs Long said Irish police had been involved in the investigation. |
| "The Garda Síochána were also involved because I think that the individual that they were seeking in connection with this arrest was somebody who did travel across the border." | "The Garda Síochána were also involved because I think that the individual that they were seeking in connection with this arrest was somebody who did travel across the border." |
| 'Priority' | |
| A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: "The department is aware of the issue and is being kept up to date by the Belfast Education and Library Board who are liaising with the police. | A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: "The department is aware of the issue and is being kept up to date by the Belfast Education and Library Board who are liaising with the police. |
| "The priority for the department and the board is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff at Elmgrove Primary School." | "The priority for the department and the board is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff at Elmgrove Primary School." |
| Speaking before the news of the arrest, Eilish Briggs, whose children go to the school, said she was worried about how long it would be closed. | Speaking before the news of the arrest, Eilish Briggs, whose children go to the school, said she was worried about how long it would be closed. |
| "I do appreciate the fact that due to the threat they have decided to close the school to limit any concerns that we would have. | "I do appreciate the fact that due to the threat they have decided to close the school to limit any concerns that we would have. |
| "But if this isn't dealt with or got to the bottom of, my concern would be how long do they stay off school. Does this continue into next week?" | "But if this isn't dealt with or got to the bottom of, my concern would be how long do they stay off school. Does this continue into next week?" |
| She said there had been a police presence at the school on Wednesday and Thursday. | She said there had been a police presence at the school on Wednesday and Thursday. |
| However, Ms Briggs said she was concerned that her children had been in the school when the threat was made. | However, Ms Briggs said she was concerned that her children had been in the school when the threat was made. |
| "I have two children in the school and not only that, there are lots of other parents who are bringing along children, so it is whole families maybe going for a pick-up," she said. | "I have two children in the school and not only that, there are lots of other parents who are bringing along children, so it is whole families maybe going for a pick-up," she said. |