The RUC has condemned as "wanton vandalism" an arson attack which badly damaged a school minibus in Ballynahinch, Co Down, shortly after 1.30 a.m. yesterday. The bus was parked in the grounds of St Colman's High School when it was set alight. The arsonists also attempted to set fire to the school's main doors.
Describing the attack as "senseless", Insp Jim Craig added: "The school bus was used for educational and recreational purposes by both sides of the community. As a result of this act of wanton vandalism a number of schoolchildren are now disadvantaged."
The chairman of the school's board of governors, Canon Gerard McCrory, condemned the attack, saying it fitted a pattern of malicious activity in the area. The attack will add to the growing cost of sectarian attacks and acts of vandalism which have put a strain on the budget of the North's education and library boards. According to figures released yesterday, the boards have spent more than £1 million sterling repairing school buildings and property damaged in such attacks last year.
The figure does not include damage done to schools during the recent spate of Drumcree-related violent protests in which 13 schools were attacked.