£30k damage at Downpatrick school

The man was arrested on Sunday morning after police were called to Knockevin Special School at Racecourse Hill area in the Co Down town.

A substantial amount of damage was caused to the school building and buses in the incident and the buses are no longer fit for use by the school.

SDLP Cllr Colin McGrath condemned the attack the school as an attack on the whole community and urged anyone with information to contact PSNI.

"This attack on a Special School is a disgrace. Educational centres are there to provide a valuable service in our town and to have it attacked in such a manner is disgusting," he said.

"With vehicles damaged, the school broken into and a nurses station damaged this is an attack against the most vulnerable in our community."

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said those responsible for the damage were heartless and had shown a total disregard for the educational wellbeing of the vulnerable children who attended the school.

"This attack deprives the pupils of necessary facilities and places a heavy burden on an already overstretched education budget," said the SDLP representative.

"One hopes that the school environment can return to some normality as soon as possible."

"I commend the staff for all their hard work as they attempt to resume the school week. The parents of the young people who attend Knockevin will no doubt be upset at any disruption caused to their children's education," she added.

A spokesman for the South Eastern Education and Library Board said contingency plans had been put in place to ensure alternative transport would be available for pupils tomorrow.

PSNI are asking anyone who has any information about this incident to contact them at Downpatrick.