Cancelled Castlerock Irish class was because of threat to burn down venue

An Irish language class was cancelled in Co Derry after threats were made to burn down the council-owned venue.

Listed as “a beginners Irish conversation class”, the six-month course was due to start on Monday evening with an enrolment session at the council-owned Peter Thompson Hall in Castlerock.

However, it has been reported that organisers and Causeway Coast and Glens Council were later made aware of the loyalist threats.

The PSNI said on Thursday that a threat had been received

The Irish News understands that the threat was to burn down the venue

A spokesman said: “Police can confirm that information was received on Monday September 30, in relation to threats made to the Peter Thompson Hall in Castlerock, where a Beginners Irish Conversation Class was scheduled to take place. Enquiries are ongoing at this time to ascertain the circumstances.”

Irish language groups and politicians have condemned the threats.

Causeway Coast and Glens Sinn Féin councillor Sean Bateson said the “threats against those learning the Irish language and all other forms of threat and intimidation are wrong and have no place in a society determined to move forward,” he said.

“These reports again demonstrate that loyalist paramilitaries should disband and disappear.”

The latest loyalist threat came days after DUP Education Minister Paul Givan was criticised over a meeting he held with members of the Loyalist Communities Council recently.

Following the meeting the group, which represents the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando, said it had voiced its objections to an Irish language school in east Belfast.

The umbrella group claimed to have told Mr Givan the school had “no meaningful support from the local unionist and loyalist population, and no consultation had taken place with local residents”.

On Thursday SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said Mr Givan still had questions to answer about whether it was appropriate to meet those linked with paramilitary groups.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said “Mr Givan met with the LCC “to discuss a range of issues relating to education underachievement in loyalist areas and undertook to share information on DE’s RAISE programme and other relevant initiatives”.

“The meeting was arranged at the request of the LCC,” he added.

The statement added that Mr Givan “supports schools in all sectors, including the Irish-medium education sector, along with the promotion of language learning in schools, including Irish”.

“Since taking up post the minister has actively engaged with the Irish medium sector and has accepted a number of invitations for meetings and to visit schools to meet principals, school staff and pupils.”