Taxpayers in Northern Ireland have spent nearly £80,000 on security for the former Strabane Grammar School site on Liskey Road since the school moved to a new campus on Derry Road in 2020.

The site has faced repeated vandalism, including arson attacks that destroyed most former school buildings. Milltown House on the site suffered vandalism and arson last summer.

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan obtained the security cost figure through an Assembly question. He stated that the building formed part of shared heritage and required protection.

McCrossan noted that public money funded security for years, yet the property was lost to fire after security ended. He questioned the justification for the expenditure given the outcome.

The Education Authority confirmed it seeks to sell the site. Knockavoe School and Strabane Rugby Club have shown interest in acquiring it.

McCrossan said transfer of the wider site to the rugby club and community nears completion. He called on the Education Authority and council to finalise the process without delay.