Councillor David Ramsey
A COUNCILLOR is demanding action following an arson attack at a derelict school in Derry.
Ebrington Primary School has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour on the Limavady Road in the Waterside are after it closed last September due to relocation.
And since then youths hellbent on vandalism have repeatedly targeted the building, smashing windows, attacking the roof and running amok in the classrooms.
The derelict school is now owned by the Education Authority.
Local DUP councillor David Ramsey told the Belfast Telegraph that he expected the site to be sold soon before it sis redeveloped.
“I met with the EA to discuss this latest arson attack on the school site.
“The school building is empty now but even though EA has secured it with fencing, it said there isn’t a case for providing on-site security.
“Children have been seen on the roof, which has obvious dangers, but this arson attack has brought what is going on at the site to the local community who have assured me they will report everything they see going on to police.
“If this escalates, security will have to be put on.
“There is a fence but these people seemed very determined, they cut through the fence and broke into the building.
“It has been resecured, but the ideal solution will be to see the site brought back into use.
“The site will go on the market, but there is a council-appointed steering group to liaise with EA about the council taking over the site.
“There have been talks about social housing being built and a possible extension to the cricket pitch and a couple of football pitches for community groups.
“That would be the ideal solution. It would be something that would benefit the whole community and bring an end to the vandalism.”
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