NI schools to close 'imminently' High Court hears

“The closure of schools seems inevitable.

“I'm reluctant to waste valuable court time with something that appears imminent," said Ronan Lavery QC on Wednesday afternoon.

The comments were made after Mrs Justice Keegan agreed to delay a High Court challenge that schools in Northern Ireland should remain open during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

Ronan Lavery QC is representing the mother of a seven year-old child from Armagh with asthma.

The mother started legal proceedings over the decision by Education Minister, Peter Weir, to keep schools in Northern Ireland while all schools and colleges in the Republic of Ireland closed down as a result of the Coronavirus crisis.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson are both due to address MPs in the House of Commons.

The devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland have already taken the decision to close their schools.

Education Minister, Peter Weir, said earlier on Wednesday he was unable to give a firm date or time when he would take the decision to close schools.