School attacked with petrol bombs

School principal Martin Kearney said the school had been attacked before

A Catholic school in Ballymena has been attacked with petrol bombs.

Five devices were thrown at the library and canteen at Saint Mary's School in the Harryville area of the town.

Windows were smashed and damage estimated at £1,000 was caused. The incident took place between 1500 BST on Monday and 0900 BST on Tuesday.

A police statement said that a sectarian motive for the attack was a key line of inquiry being investigated by officers.

School principal Martin Kearney said the school had been attacked in the past.

"Five years ago we had a number of attacks which were significant at the time, but we have had five years of peace and calm in this area and this is a set-back this morning," he said.

Mr Kearney added that staff had arrived at the school intending to begin preparations for the new term which begins on Thursday.

He said: "This is a set back to all our planning but hopefully we will get over this as we have done in the past."

Police district commander Superintendent Terry Shevlin said the attack did appear to be part of a wider campaign of sectarian violence, and said his officers were determined to bring an end to it.

"We have been robustly patrolling the area, covertly and overtly," Mr Shevlin said.

"This was a random attack - out of the blue - and I would expect members of the community to come forward and give us information."

DUP leader Ian Paisley called for those responsible for sectarian attacks to "desist".

"I have unequivocally condemned all such attacks," Mr Paisley said.

"These attacks ought to cease, but I'm afraid I would have no influence whatsoever with the people that are responsible."

Sinn Fein assembly member Philip McGuigan has blamed loyalist paramilitaries for the attack.

"Catholic homes, churches and businesses have all been targeted in recent months as unionist paramilitaries intensify their violent campaign in north Antrim," he said.