Primary school rises from ashes [irishexaminer.ie]
- Published: 17 June 2009
Primary school rises from ashes
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
CHILDREN attending a primary school severely damaged by an arson attack were celebrating yesterday after it rose from the ashes.
And fire brigade crews joined with pupils and staff at the Convent Primary School in Mallow, Co Cork for the opening of a rebuilt section of the school which is understood to have cost about €200,000 to repair.
Acting station officer in Mallow, Mick Carroll cut the tape in recognition of the efforts by the fire services to save part of the building.
The oldest part of the school dates back to 1910.
A section of the 200-pupil school was deliberately set on fire. A passer-by raised the alarm after spotting the blaze in the early hours of May 21.
Fire brigade units from Mallow, Kanturk, Charleville and Cork city rushed to the scene.
They managed to contain the damage to the school hall, three classrooms and another room.
The area surrounding the school was evacuated, including the convent in which 20 sisters live. The convent was not damaged.
The school was closed for a number of days and when it was reopened 70 pupils had to be provided with alternative accommodation.
Gardaí have appealed for anybody with information to ring Mallow Garda Station at 022-21105.
