There was a fiery protest in Penal this morning as residents and disgruntled parents of students attending the St Dominic’s RC Primary School, continued calls for a new school building,
Protesters blocked several areas along Latchoos Road, Penal Rock Road and Clarke Road with burning debris. The fire service extinguished the flames and cleared the rubble, but the residents continued to block the road.
Following an altercation with a resident and the police, there was a verbal clash between the officers and army and protesters but no one was arrested.
A member of the Parent Teacher Council said they will continue protesting until proper accommodations are put in place for the students.
In 2017, the students were relocated to the Penal Community Centre and the St Dominic’s RC Church after an earthquake damaged the school building. However, parents complained that the conditions were uncomfortable, unsafe and unhealthy for the students.
WATCH:
(video courtesy Ivan Toolsie)