Northern Ireland

Darkest day school display a `horrendous error of judgement'

The darkest day noticeboard was put up after changes to abortion laws in the north
The darkest day noticeboard was put up after changes to abortion laws in the north The darkest day noticeboard was put up after changes to abortion laws in the north

A SCHOOL principal has said a `darkest day' display posted on a noticeboard after changes to abortion and same-sex marriage laws was a "horrendous error of judgement".

The blacked out display was put up by a teacher on the Christian Union noticeboard at Dalriada School in Ballymoney.

Pupils later tore it down.

Abortion in Northern Ireland has been decriminalised after laws changed this week.

Women can now terminate a pregnancy without fear of being prosecuted.

MPs voted for a law change in July, on the basis that a Northern Ireland Executive did not return by October 21.

There was a brief sitting of the assembly on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to stop the changes but this failed.

After the changes, several people on social media changed their profile pictures to a dark background with #darkestday on it.

A similar display was put up on a noticeboard at the Co Antrim grammar school on Tuesday.

Pupils said that messages of support for abortion rights had been taken down from boards in recent days but the 'darkest day' display remained up, until pupils tore it down.

One pupil posted on Twitter that it was "offensive, damaging, and creates a hostile environment for people in a place of study".

Several past pupils have since put their names to an open letter to the governing body chairman in which they expressed "outrage".

"Those responsible showed a clear and abhorrent disregard for the wider school community, giving no thought to the wellbeing of their fellow pupils and staff," the letter read.

"We acknowledge that some Dalriads see these as controversial issues, on which people may hold a wide range of opinions, and we respect individuals' right to hold such convictions. However, regardless of any individual's personal position on the issues of gay marriage and abortion, it is completely unacceptable that such a display was posted in a school environment.

"This decision has created an atmosphere of shame, specifically targeting any LGBT+ students or staff members, or those who may have had, or may know someone who has had an abortion. The direct consequence of this action is to make both staff and pupils feel unsafe and unwelcome in their school."

Principal Tom Skelton said the incident was being investigated and the school was providing support for LGBT pupils.

He told the Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster that the display had been "a horrendous error of judgement".

He added that, in retrospect, the teacher involved had accepted it was an error and said the school had an ethos of inclusivity.