The principal of a primary school in Derry has said she is “saddened and disgusted” after vandals ransacked a building and caused damage to a memorial garden.
The break-in at Sacred Heart P.S in Derry’s Trench Road area happened in the early hours of Sunday.
Police were alerted to the burglary at around 5.20am, and it was found that a classroom used by the youngest pupils had been ransacked, with toys and paperwork thrown around the room.
Police said “significant damage was also caused to a memorial garden on the grounds of the school” and have called for anyone with information to contact them.
In a statement posted to social media, principal Louise Cunning said: “I am saddened and disgusted to report that our wonderful school was attacked by vandals.
“The vandals specifically targeted the Year 1 area, causing damage within the classrooms and also to the main Year 1 doors, in their efforts to break into the school building.”
Ms Cunning said that the school has dealt with recent incidents of anti-social behaviour, alcohol bottles being left on the grounds, damage to play equipment, spray paint graffiti and “inappropriate messages being written on the ground/building”.
“Our intruder alarm triggered our security and while they reacted immediately, we know that a vigilant member of the public had already raised the alarm with the police. We are extremely thankful to this person for doing so,” she said.
“I am appealing to anyone who lives close by, who may have any information regarding this matter, to please come and speak with me. If you saw anything suspicious over the weekend or have any relevant dashcam footage, CCTV/Ring doorbells at house doors etc that may be able to identify the intruders, we would be very grateful to have this.”
She added: “We are committed to providing a safe environment for our students, and these senseless acts of vandalism are unacceptable. It is disheartening that our school, part of such a strong and supportive community, has now become a target. Our children should not suffer from such actions.”
A PSNI spokesperson said the break-in is believed to have occurred between 4,45am and 5.20am on Sunday.
“Enquiries are ongoing. Police appeal to anyone with information or who noticed any suspicious activity in the area to call 101, quoting reference 351 of 08/12/24,” they said.
Foyle SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin condemned the incident as “absolutely disgraceful”.
“This school and its staff do fantastic work and have a hard-earned reputation as a great place for children to learn and develop,” she said.
“At a time when school budgets are under extreme pressure the last thing they need is to deal with incidents like this. This will have been upsetting for the entire school community and no child should be going into school on a Monday morning knowing their school has been attacked.
“I also cannot understand the mindset of anyone who would damage a school’s memorial garden, this is disgusting a shows a complete lack of empathy for everyone connected with Sacred Heart. I would urge those behind these attacks to think about the impact they are having on the school and cease this at once. I would also appeal to anyone with any information to come forward to police so we can stop these senseless attacks.”
