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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
(about 1 hour 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. The principal of an east Belfast primary school closed after a "malicious" email threat has said the school plans to reopen on Monday.
Jayne Jeffers said she would be engaging with the police and the Belfast Education and Library Board.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. She said the school planned to confirm the Monday opening to parents on Sunday by 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. Police said "the communication was of a threatening nature" and said they were working with police in the Republic of Ireland.
Extra police patrols had been deployed in the vicinity of the school on the Beersbridge Road. Extra police patrols had been deployed around 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."
Mrs Long said Irish police had been involved in the investigation.
Education Minister John O'Dowd has condemned the threat.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."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. Elmgrove Primary School said in a statement that "at no time was the safety of the pupils compromised or risks taken".
"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." The statement said the school took immediate action to safeguard pupils and that their welfare was of "paramount importance".
'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.
"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.
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.
'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".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."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."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 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.""The police maintained a presence on the school site on Thursday afternoon as a precautionary measure."