There has been widespread condemnation at a break-in at a Derry primary school in which money being raised for specialised life-saving equipment was stolen.
Nazareth House Primary School.
Doors and windows were smashed by the thieves at Nazareth House Primary School, Bishop Street, at around 11.00pm last night. They made off with sum of money which was to go to the purchase of a defibrillator.
School principal Paul O’Hea said he was “devastated” by the break-in and revealed the money – which had been stored in a secure room – had been raised by pupils through a “no uniform day” to raise the life-saving equipment after a local family had tragically lost their son.
Mr O’Hea added: “It is a big blow to the whole area. The children are so annoyed and the staff are in shock. We feel we have been violated.”
He added: “We are determined to get the defibrillator and we will are not going to be put off by this.”
SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey expressed concern at the fact the thieves knew the money was in the school.
He said: “I am appalled that Nazareth House Primary School has been broken into and funds that had been raised by the local community to purchase a vital defibrillator – a lifesaving piece of equipment – has been stolen.
“I am extremely concerned, as are many in the community, that these funds seem to have been targeted specifically, perhaps by someone who knew where on the premises the funds were being kept.
“I want to urge anyone in the Bishop Street area in particular who may have seen anything suspicious around the school in the last few days or who have any information to contact local police at Strand Road.”
Mr Ramsey revealed he had to the school’s principal, Paul O’Hea, and if anyone wanted to make a donation to the defibrillator fund following the break-in, his office at the Embassy Building would be “more than happy” to pass it onto the school.”
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Councillor Patricia Logue has slammed those responsible and appealed for anyone with information to pass it on to the police.
Cllr Logue said “There is shock in the local community today on hearing this terrible news. To think anyone would even contemplate stealing money being raised for life saving defibrillators is beyond belief.
“Schools are centres of our communities and provide not just education for our children but also services for families, after schools projects, and outreach to the wider community.
“To target schools is therefore an attack on the entire community and is completely unacceptable.”
Cllr Logue concluded: “I would appeal for anyone with even the slightest information on these thefts to bring it forward to the police straight away.
A PSNI spokesperson asked anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area to contact Strand Road CID on 0845 600 8000.
Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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