School fire exits were locked to keep vandals out

FIRE exits at a Dublin school were being locked during classes to protect them from thieves and vandals until a school inspector warned of the dangers involved.

The situation was highlighted last November when a Department of Education inspector visited the school. The finding was highlighted in a report on the 550-student school published on the department website this week.

“Appropriate measures should be put in place to ensure the security of the school building, measures that take account of the absolute need for the fire exits to remain unlocked at all times,” the inspector wrote. The board of management have agreed to now keep the exit doors unlocked at all times.