First Minister designate, Michelle O’Neill MLA, visited St. Mary’s Primary School in Fivemiletown last Thursday, April 25 to lend her support to the school’s ongoing campaign for its retention.

At the meeting, arranged by Colm Gildernew MLA, and attended by fellow Sinn Féin figures including Michelle Gildernew MP, Councillor Sean McGuigan, and local election candidates Eugene McConnell and Gael Gildernew, parents and members of the school’s Board of Governors set out their evidence to show the sustainability of the school both now and into the future.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms. O’Neill said: “I was incredibly impressed by the passion and determination of the representatives of the school community that I met today.

“The children I met were clearly happy and thriving. The school is a bright and vibrant place, and parish priest Fr. Brendan Gallagher is clear how vital a role the school plays in the parish.

“The parents and Governors I met presented robust and verifiable evidence to show the school’s growing enrolment, its strong financial position and the educational outcomes it is achieving for the children.”

She continued: “That is why I will be acting urgently to ensure my opposition to the proposal to close the school is made clear to the Department of Education, and [will be] calling on CCMS to withdraw the proposal.

“Closing a small, rural school like this is not in the interests of anyone in the Fivemiletown community, and is the antithesis of the progress we’ve made over the past 25 years.”

The Chair of the Board of Governors, Fergal Foy, said: “We were delighted that Michelle O’Neill and her team took the time to meet with us today, talk to parents and children at the school, and really hear the concerns we have about this proposal [to close the school], and the impact it would have on our community.

“Having fought this campaign for so long, it was a huge boost to have her truly engaging with us on the detail of why our school must stay open.

“We will continue to fight for our school’s survival, and are so grateful for all of the support we continue to receive throughout this campaign.”