The Republic of Ireland soccer squad was today urged to help end attacks on a Protestant grammar school after a bus carrying children as young as 11 was stoned following the team's last World Cup match.
The UUP’s Mr Derek Hussey called on Irish goalkeeper Shay Given and the Football Association of Ireland to help end attacks on Strabane Grammar School in Co Tyrone by people wearing the team colours.
The West Tyrone MLA said the school's principal had written to parents following the incident after Wednesday's World Cup game against Germany, advising them not to send pupils to school next Tuesday - the date of the Republic's next game - unless they are sitting exams.
Mr Hussey said it was appalling that children had been subjected to a barrage of abuse.
"The bus came under attack in the middle of the afternoon from people of all ages wearing Ireland colours and carrying tricolours," he said. "One window was smashed on the bus after a missile was thrown and although no-one was injured, the pupils on board were traumatised and upset."
Mr Hussey said he had suggested to the FAI that Donegal-born goalkeeper Shay Given, who is from nearby Lifford, could help by intervening.
"I fully agree with the school that the safety of pupils is paramount and it is deplorable that such measures need to be enacted to ensure their safety because of a football match," he added.
The National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, which represents staff at the school, said it was appalling that it had been forced to close during any future World Cup matches played by the Republic of Ireland.
Regional official Mr Tom McKee said: "The sectarian attacks by the Irish football fans on the school pupils are every bit as reprehensible as the sectarian invasion of the Belfast Institute building in east Belfast."
PA