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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 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 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. |
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 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. |
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. |
Elmgrove Primary School said in a statement that "at no time was the safety of the pupils compromised or risks taken". | |
The statement said the school took immediate action to safeguard 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." |