Republican News · Thursday 30 January 1997

[An Phoblacht]

Headmaster bars anti-RUC boy

Sinn Fein councillor James McCarry has accused the headmaster of St Bridget's Primary school in Ballycastle, County Antrim of barring his son Fionntan (aged 11) from the school quiz team after he (McCarry) refused to let him take part in an RUC-organised `Top of the Form' quiz.

McCarry said, ``I refused to allow my son to take part in this quiz on 14 January. Last Thursday I was informed that Fionntan had not been chosen to represent the school in another quiz competition organised by the Irish Credit Unions.

``I challenged the headmaster on this decision. If my son was good enough to represent the school for the RUC quiz why was he dropped for the others? The headmaster defended his action and claimed he was fulfilling the policy of the board of governors.

``Is it policy to discriminate against an 11 year-old because his parents will not allow him to take part in an event which they believe is essentially political and is an exercise in political propaganda, I intend lodging a formal complaint with the school board,'' McCarry said.

 

  • Meanwhile parents of Irish dancers attending St Oliver Plunkett girl's primary school in West Belfast contacted An Phoblacht to express their concern at the possibility of RUC involvement in a show for senior citizens organised on 30 January.

    Parents became suspicious that the dancers from the school were asked to take part in the show yet parents were asked not to attend, nor was the venue disclosed to them.

    A concerned parent said, ``the school board seem very tight lipped about the whole thing. I believe all parents in this area would object to their children performing for the RUC. If this is the case they should tell us what's going on''.

    When An Phoblacht tried to contact the school principal, we were told she was unavailable for comment and did not return our calls.

    In 1995 parents accidentally discovered that a similar event was organised by the RUC. Angry parents held protests and pickets at the school.

     

  • Recently in North Queen Street and Henry Street in North Belfast, children playing in the street were approached by so-called RUC `community police' who asked if they would be interested in starting a football team for 10 to 12 year olds.

    Sinn Fein councillor for the area, Paddy McManus, called on parents in all nationalist areas to be aware of approaches by the RUC to youngsters. ``This exercise is nothing more than a cynical ploy by the RUC to curry some favour with nationaists after the events of last summer,'' he said.

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