Hundreds of people took to the streets of Fivemiletown last Saturday, March 25 in a massive show of support for the retention of St. Mary’s Primary School.

Around 500 people joined the protest march – significantly more than organisers had projected – with huge crowds gathering to show their objection to the proposal to close the rural school by Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).

Speaking following the march on Saturday, the Chair of the school’s Board of Governors, Fergal Foy, described the show of support for St. Mary’s PS as “incredible”.

“Parents, staff, and most importantly, the children, were absolutely delighted to see such massive crowds turn out to show their support for St. Mary’s.

“The atmosphere was outstanding, with local business owners and customers standing out to applaud as we passed by,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “The fact we were joined by our local MP, Michelle Gildernew, and MLAs including Colm Gildernew and Aine Murphy, and councillors from both Fermanagh and Omagh and Mid Ulster District Councils including Donal O’Cofaigh, Sean McGuigan, Garbhan McPhillips and Sheamus Greene, and hundreds of people from across Fivemiletown and beyond, was a strong signal of the level of support we have across the community.”

Commenting that while the high level of support was a “significant morale boost” for those who have been fighting this campaign, Mr. Foy added that it was “much more significant than that”.

He said: “It was a strong, loud and clear message to CCMS and the Department of Education that schools like ours are a vibrant and vital part of our rural community.

“That we won’t lie down and accept the fact that the Sustainable Schools Policy has not been properly applied in our case,” he claimed.

He added: “We will do everything within our power to tell people that this proposal is fundamentally misjudged, misguided and, if there is any justice, will ultimately be defeated.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to those who have been ignoring us for so long, and hiding behind paperwork and processes.

“Our children deserve better than this, and we won’t rest unless this threat is withdrawn.”

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