Protestant students back Sinn Féin teacher forced out by sectarianism – DUP leader stays silent

» Mark Moloney

'All the best Cat Seeley from her Boys' Model A-level class! All literally gutted and a disgrace what's happened to such a good person!' – Twitter message from a student

UNIONIST leaders have been accused of failing the test of political leadership for remaining silent following threats and intimidation which forced a Catholic school teacher and Sinn Féin councillor from her job in a mainly Protestant school in Belfast. First Minister Peter Robinson has so far failed to condemn the intimidation and threats while it took the UUP leader Mike Nesbitt five days to issue a mealy-mouthed statement on the incident.

Speaking earlier, Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Chris Hazzard MLA said:

"In the five days since the young teacher was intimidated from her job because of her religion and her membership of Sinn Féin not one unionist political leader has spoken out in her defence and taken a stand against the rejectionist mob driving this campaign."

The intimidation began after the Protestant Coalition, led by fringe loyalist Willie Frazer (pictured), posted information on their Facebook page about teacher Catherine Seeley. They called on parents to protest and demand her removal from her post because of her membership of Sinn Féin. The group also contacted the school directly 

Catherine was co-opted onto Craigavon Borough Council on 20 January to replace outgoing Councillor Johnny McGibbon.

Family members said the 25-year-old Queen's University graduate was too upset to return to her place of work following the intimidation, which included threatening graffiti sprayed close to the school telling her to quit her post.

Chris Hazzard added:

"The question for unionist leaders is very simple – do they support the right of this young woman to go to her work free from threat and harassment or not?  If they do they must make this clear and stand up to the rejectionist sectarian rabble driving this disgraceful campaign of intimidation.”

Students of Ms Seeley have also come out in support of the teacher on social media sites.

One A-level student wrote on Twitter:

"Can't believe my teacher had to leave all because she was in Sinn Féin, great teacher and will be missed by her A-level [class]."

Another said:

"All the best Cat Seeley from her Boys' Model A-level class! All literally gutted and a disgrace what's happened to such a good person!"

And yet another posted:

"She was nothing but nice to me. Good luck wherever you end up."