Northern Ireland

Former residents of Catholic training school 'torched building'

The former St Patrick's Training School in west Belfast was set alight on September 19
The former St Patrick's Training School in west Belfast was set alight on September 19 The former St Patrick's Training School in west Belfast was set alight on September 19

AN arson attack at a derelict training school in west Belfast was carried out by former residents in revenge for physical and sexual abuse by staff, it has been claimed.

St Patrick's Training School on Glen Road, which is due to be demolished, was set alight on September 19.

Formerly run by the De La Salle order, it was among 22 schools and institutions investigated by the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry.

It has been claimed that nine former residents "torched the place to the ground", the Belfast Telegraph reported.

Police have said enquiries into the arson attack are ongoing.

The 85-acre site was acquired by a property developer earlier this year.