by Linda McGrory
A BUNCRANA secondary school is reviewing its
security following the theft of a laptop computer
containing sensitive student and staff information.
The incident happened when thieves broke into Scoil
Mhuire, Buncrana, following a sponsored walk earlier
in the day that raised €6,000 for the school.
Principal Liam Rainey yesterday said he believed the
thieves were targeting the cash but took the Dell
laptop "out of frustration".
"The money had been banked earlier that day and we
think they took the laptop out of frustration," said
Mr Rainey.
He stressed that the laptop is password-protected
but contains information on the school's 550 pupils
including names, addresses, medical card details and
eligibility for exam fee assistance. He said the
school accounts, including its bank account details
and salary details of non-teaching staff, were also
on the stolen computer.
"We are confident that the information is safe and
cannot be accessed because it is password-protected
and is useless to whoever has it. All the
information on the laptop is backed-up elsewhere but
it is a serious inconvenience for us. The laptop was
useful for carrying information to board of
management and finance meetings.
"It could also delay the process of finding out what
students are or aren’t eligible for assistance with
exam fees and other things," he added.
Gardai in Buncrana carried out a forensic
examination at the school last Thursday after the
thieves broke in through a window of the main school
office sometime between 10.30pm on April 6 and
7.45am on April 7.
Mr Rainey said the school will now have to fork out
for extra CCTV cameras in a bid to improve security.
"We are relieved that the sponsored walk money
wasn't taken but we never keep cash on the premises
anyway. But we are very disappointed that this could
have happened. It was an attack on the students but
thankfully it was a very rare occurrence." The
school has appealed to students for information on
the incident. |
