School: Stabbing was unprecedented
Staff at a high school in the North that saw one of its pupils stabbed with a penknife during a schoolyard fight tonight expressed their sadness at the incident.
Police were questioning a 13-year-old in connection with the incident, which happened around 2pm at Ballymoney High School in Ballymoney, Co Antrim.
The victim, who is also 13, was admitted to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
His injury was not believed to be life-threatening.
The principal of the high school Rodney Scott described the incident as an unprecedented occurrence.
“I am pleased to say that the pupil’s injuries are not life-threatening,” he said.
“Our thoughts continue to be with him and his family and we trust he will enjoy a speedy recovery.
“Now we will turn our attention to ensuring that school continues as usual, with relevant support, for the good of the pupils and the entire school community.”
Democratic Unionist Assembly member Ian Paisley Jr was appalled by the stabbing and called for action to combat the use of lethal weapons.
“This incident is absolutely horrendous and I am shocked by it,” the North Antrim MLA said.
“It shows that we have got to urgently sort out the knife culture that seems to be part and parcel of youth culture today.
“Thank God the young man’s condition is not life-threatening but it could have been much worse.
“I would call for an increase in public vigilance and urge parents to ensure their children do not carry knives.”
