Ireland

Structural defects in at least 17 schools in Republic built by Tyrone firm

Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Part of the school has been closed due to structural flaws. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association
Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Part of the school has been closed due to structural flaws. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Part of the school has been closed due to structural flaws. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association

A TOTAL of 17 schools in the Republic built by a Co Tyrone-based firm need urgent work carried out before they can open on Monday.

Defects were found after the Department of Education looked at 29 schools.

A decision will be made today on whether emergency work is needed on a further 13 schools.

The schools were all built by Western Building Systems in the past 10 years.

The firm, which is based in Coalisland, has also built schools in Northern Ireland in recent years.

The north's Department of Education said last week it was "currently reviewing buildings supplied by Western Building Systems".