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Video: School evacuated after sinkhole appears in Co Monaghan

Drumgossatt National School near Carrickmacross has been forced to close over a sinkhole that appeared overnight. Picture courtesy of Border TV
Drumgossatt National School near Carrickmacross has been forced to close over a sinkhole that appeared overnight. Picture courtesy of Border TV Drumgossatt National School near Carrickmacross has been forced to close over a sinkhole that appeared overnight. Picture courtesy of Border TV

A large sink hole, running the full length of a GAA pitch in Co Monaghan, is thought to have been caused by the collapse of a disused mine.

Drumgossatt National primary school near Carrickmacross was forced to evacuate yesterday with parents receiving urgent messages to collect their children over fears of further subsidence.

It is understood the large sinkhole was caused by the collapse of a disused gypsum mine.

Major damage was caused to grounds and building of Magheracloone Mitchells GAC, with a large fault line appearing across the pitch, the club posted online that "nobody is to enter the grounds under any circumstances."

A gardaí spokesperson said officers remained at the scene of the unusual incident at Macheracloon, to ensure members of the public stayed outside the cordon.

A main road to the area was closed while the school was evacuated as a precaution, a spokesman said.

In a statement, the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are aware that an old section of the gypsum mine in the area has collapsed.

"We are not aware of injuries as a result and we will follow up with the company as appropriate."

The sinkhole at Drumgossatt National School near Carrickmacross is thought to have been caused by a collapsed mine. Picture courtesy of Border TV
The sinkhole at Drumgossatt National School near Carrickmacross is thought to have been caused by a collapsed mine. Picture courtesy of Border TV The sinkhole at Drumgossatt National School near Carrickmacross is thought to have been caused by a collapsed mine. Picture courtesy of Border TV