By Conor Sharkey
The buildings, which housed the former Our Lady of Mercy and the Convent Grammar schools must be secured.
That's the view of one Strabane councillor who has expressed concerns that young people are gathering at the sites.
Since being vacated and amalgamated following the building of the new Holy Cross College facility, both school buildings have fallen into serious disrepair because of natural dilapidation and vandalism.
This has prompted calls for the Trustees to either demolish or properly secure the buildings.
It is understood that Our Lady of Mercy School is currently in possession of the Catholic Church.
It's understood that Church representatives have been in talks for some time with the Department of Environment with a view to demolishing the building.
The Sisters of Mercy have full control of the Convent Grammar. Despite countless attempts by the Strabane Chronicle to gauge what their immediate plans are for the building, the future of the Grammar remains a mystery.
Whatever the plans for both schools, Sinn Fein's Danny Breslin has urged immediate action.
Councillor Breslin said: "Some nights, there could be 30 or 40 young people in the grounds of the schools and there are huge big shards of glass hanging from windows and doors. It's dangerous and I'd like to make parents aware that their kids may be playing in there. Another problem is that some of the rubbish from the school grounds is being dragged out and used as barricades to block the roads. So as far as I am concerned it's really only a matter of time before there is an injury."
"I know those in charge of the schools have made efforts to secure them but there are still places around Mount Carmel Heights where the youngsters are able to get in. I would just urge whoever is responsible to secure the whole place or employ someone on to keep an eye on the buildings in the evening.
"I know they might not want to sell the buildings off because of the economic climate, but something needs to be done quickly," Mr Breslin said.
From a cosmetic point of view, the councillor said the current state of the school could put off potential house hunters in the area.
"It is an eyesore. The schools give the wrong impression of the area. So from that point of view, something needs to done as well. I know that the Council has been making enquiries into the buildings, but I would urge the Trustees of both schools to act on this as a matter of urgency, he said.
