There were heated words in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council chamber in response to a reply from the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) on the closure of St Mary’s High School, Brollagh.

Issues arose around a Shared Space Project Application under the PEACE IV scheme, and members wrote to the Minister for Education on learning there allegedly may have been pressure to: “not look favourably”.

This came to light after the school’s Parent Action Group (PAG) obtained documents through a Freedom of Information request.

According to CCMS the application was submitted without Trustee knowledge or approval and concerns were highlighted, particularly around child protection and safeguarding as well as potential adverse influence.

Members rejected this and challenged CCMS, with a reply discussed at the most recent Environmental Services Committee meeting.

The letter confirms CCMS wrote to the Parents Council over what they see as “inaccuracies”.

SDLP Councillor Adam Gannon stated: “It’s obvious there has been an amended letter, which shows there were mistakes in the first one. CCMS have been found wanting They said first awareness was in 2020, but the school was aware since 2017 and the Parents Council have letters of support. This correspondence causes questions.”

He pointed to redacted sections of paperwork supplied by CCMS, in response to a Freedom of Information request and: “Revealing these would ease concerns or answer questions of what they are saying is true … If it is, and there was no undue influence, they’ve nothing to fear.”

Councillor Anthony Feely, Sinn Fein was very disappointed with the response and the failure of CCMS to meet with members.

“They have always blocked any progress in Brollagh … It just goes to show what CCMS is like. They haven’t even tried to fight to keep the school going. It is looking like it is closing and we have to face up to the reality.”

However independent Councillor Bernice Swift took a contrary position telling members: “I refuse to accept the closure of a rural school. The very fact this council had to set up a Rural Affairs Committee as we are being ignored because of Stormont failings. No way am I sitting back and allowing this additional, pathetic decision to go ahead.”

She called for: “A special case for Brollagh. There is a lack of transparency and redacted information creates a lot of smoke and mirrors which I do not and will not accept … While I have a voicebox, I will speak up for our rural constituents. The entire community are sick of the lack of investment, the threats for years and now this proposal to close. Forget about it, we’re not accepting it. No way. Never.”

Councillor Swift proposed council demand CCMS to urgently meet elected representatives and address the gaps in the correspondence.

Concluding she said: “I am quite infuriated, but I remain committed and convicted to the educational sustainability and economic viability of that rural area.”

Sinn Fein’s Councillor Sheamus Greene remarked small schools have the best outcomes and aren’t disadvantaged.

“This is all about money. CCMS is no friend of small or rural. They seem to be, the bigger the better … As a council we really need our voiceto be heard. We need to be on the steps of Stormont. Rural people will fight for their rural services and will not sit back anymore.”

He enquired if rural proofing had taken place ahead of the decision to close St Mary’s, or: “Are they saying this has no effect on rural areas?”

Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh, Independent echoed Councillor Swift’s remarks stressing: “St Mary’s has a long-established successful history of delivering education. The reality is this has been caused by the policies adopted by Stormont, rooted in austerity cuts. We had politicians tell us to move on while another said it’s closing and there’s nothing can be done. I don’t accept that and nor does the community …We need to take this to the powers that be. We have to stand up as a council, saying no to these cuts and those driving them.”

He praised the Parents Action Group who have fought for St Mary’s over more than a decade: “With great commitment and enthusiasm.”

Sinn Fein’s Councillor Chris McCaffrey said the decision: “Is heartbreaking and the lack of regard by the Department of Education and particularly CCMS is astonishing.”

Cutting in, Councillor Swift stated: “You’re still accepting closure.”

Councillor McCaffrey enquired if the cross-Border option has been fully explored adding: “To accept closure is to accept defeat.”

Ulster Unionist Councillor John McClaughrey said the issue was very emotive, while SDLP Councillor John Coyle was: “absolutely disgusted.”

Seconding Councillor Swift’s proposal, he stated: “We as a community are not being listened to which is why I want to meet the Minister. I will, be standing beside my constituents and I will not accept this. We’re not going to lie down and take this.”