Understand
Some pupils 'slept in their cars' during Ballymena riots
Overview
A report into racially motivated rioting in Ballymena revealed that Harryville Primary School acted as a safe haven for children whose homes were under attack. Principal Neil McCullough stated that some migrant families slept in their cars due to fear, and 41 pupils never returned to the school following the disorder. The report highlighted institutional unpreparedness, noting that the school had to pay for hotel accommodation out of its own budget after receiving little support from the Education Authority.
Key points
- Harryville Primary School lost nearly a fifth of its pupils following racially motivated riots in Ballymena.
- Principal Neil McCullough reported that some families slept in cars in car parks due to fear during the unrest.
- The school arranged and paid for hotel accommodation for displaced families out of its own budget.
- A new report titled 'Meeting, Mapping, Moving - Ballymena Recovering' detailed the harrowing impact of the disorder on children and minority communities.
- The report criticised the Education Authority for failing to provide timely guidance or support, leaving the school to handle housing and safety decisions alone.
- The Education Authority stated it made a range of support available to schools and continues to work with partners to ensure children feel safe.