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| Elmgrove Primary School, Belfast, intends to reopen on Monday after email threat | Elmgrove Primary School, Belfast, intends to reopen on Monday after email threat |
| (26 minutes later) | |
| The principal of an east Belfast primary school that is closed on Friday after a "malicious" email threat has said it is their intention to reopen on Monday. | |
| Jayne Jeffers said she would be engaging with the police and the Belfast Education and Library Board. | |
| She said the school 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. | Previously Elmgrove Primary School had said it would be closed on Friday. |
| It said this was due to "unforeseen circumstances". | 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 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. |
| Education Minister John O'Dowd has condemned the threat. | |
| "To attempt to intimidate any community is unacceptable, but to direct a threat against a school is particularly unfathomable," he said. | |
| "The Belfast Education and Library Board and the school principal, in consultation with the PSNI, acted wisely and decisively in closing the school today as a precaution. | |
| "It is, however, regrettable that the children's routine and learning has been disrupted as a result of criminal activity and I hope that the matter can be resolved as swiftly as possible." | |
| 'Priority' | 'Priority' |
| 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..., 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. |
| 'Welfare' | |
| Elmgrove Primary School emphasised in a statement that "at no time was the safety of the pupils compromised or risks taken". | |
| It said it took immediate action to safeguard its pupils and that their welfare was of "paramount importance". | |
| It said it was contacted by the police during Thursday lunchtime "regarding malicious telecommunications that had been received by two external sources referencing the school, and a threat to the safety of our pupils". | |
| "Once the information was received by the school, senior management acted promptly, following agreed procedures, and called an emergency meeting to gather information and assess risk," it said. | |
| "Subsequently, the decision to close the school on Friday 23 January was taken in conjunction with the PSNI and the Belfast Education and Library Board. | |
| "The school was instructed not to release any information that could potentially compromise the ongoing police investigation and so a brief text was issued to parents regarding the closure. | |
| "The police maintained a presence on the school site on Thursday afternoon as a precautionary measure." |