Over 50 children unaccounted for in NI school system

More than 20 children are missing from one school in County Antrim since the start of the term.

Their names were among a larger list of more than 50 children who are currently unaccounted for in the school system.

The list was distributed to principals across Northern Ireland by the Education Authority (EA) which is looking for help to trace the children.

According to the EA, 24 pupils who had attended Harryville Primary School in Ballymena have left and it is not clear what school they now go to.

The area was the scene of protests and riots in June after an alleged sexual assault in the town.

Two 14-year-old boys are currently on remand, charged with attempted oral rape of a schoolgirl. Both deny the charges.

The Education Minister Paul Givan subsequently said that the rate of pupils missing school in the area rose after the rioting.

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said that the news "only confirms what I previously pointed out - that a significant number of Roma families had moved from Ballymena".

He was referring to comments he had made earlier this year following the riots in Ballymena.

Reports at the time said the target of much of the aggression during the riots was aimed toward the town's Roma (Gypsy) community and other foreign nationals.

Some who fled said they would not be coming back.

"The Education Authority's own search for more than 50 children now demonstrates that my comments were accurate," he said.

"The other issue which should be explored here is what the difference is in enrolment today with what it was previously."