The first Irish language preschool in a protestant and unionist area of east Belfast, that was due to open in September, has had to find a new site because of an online campaign of abuse.

Naíscoil na Seolta was offered a building on the site of Braniel Primary School.

Sixteen pupils had enrolled to start their education through the medium of Irish this September.

In a statement, the board of the Naíscoil said it was with mixed emotions that Naíscoil na Seolta has made the decision to relocate to another site in east Belfast.

"There was, however, a small-scale social media campaign launched to attempt to move us on. This was dealt with using the correct channels.

Nonetheless, with the children's wellbeing at the front of our minds, we have decided to take up a new opportunity.

"The Braniel site was always a temporary location, as we developed plans for a permanent home in east Belfast.

"In the last weeks, it emerged that a new site had become available to us. The new site is bigger, more conveniently located for parents, and builds on our existing relationships in east Belfast. The new location will be announced very soon, after we have spoken to parents and funders.

"Naíscoil na Seolta has always been about deepening community relationships, and these relationships will continue, regardless of our location. We remain committed to, and excited about, bringing integrated Irish medium education to east Belfast."

A school statement said: "It is with great sadness and regret that we had to inform our school community today of the decision of the Integrated Naiscoil na Seolta to relocate to another site due to actions of individuals not connected to the school.

"Due to an ongoing social media hate campaign against some individuals and the integrated Naiscoil na Seolta, it is with great sadness that it is choosing to relocate to an alternative location.

"A social media campaign was started and fuelled by those who are not connected to the school, nor are parents of our school and who are clearly not interested in facts and truth, who allowed disgusting comments to be posted that were littered with unfounded erroneous allegations about certain individuals and the Naiscoil.

"Braniel PS is not and should never be thought of as a contested space.

"We are proud to be a shared space for all. We welcome all children, parents, families and individuals irrespective of religion, faith, creed or language and always will.

"The comments, made mostly by those who are not of our school community, on social media do not in any way reflect the opinions and beliefs of the governors and entire staff of the school."

The statement was signed on behalf of the board of governors, principal and staff of Braniel Nursery and Primary School.

The nursery recently received £73,000 (€85,816) from Foras na Gaeilge, the north-south body for the promotion of the Irish language, for its running costs.

Its stated aim was to bring integrated Irish-medium primary education to the area.

'Negativity and misrepresentation'

Linda Ervine, Irish language development officer of Turas, the language organisation which has been running Irish classes for adults in the Skainos centre in east Belfast for a number of years, is among those behind Naiscoil na Seolta.

Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, Ms Ervine said they felt it better to withdraw from Braniel.

"There were lies, misrepresentation, rumour about our intentions. We were there for a temporary time for 16 three-year-olds and they were trying to link us with the political situation," she said.

"That negativity and misrepresentation is not what we are about or who we are."

Ms Ervine said there are 16 places available at the school, 14 of which have been filled.

"We are a preschool in the integrated sector, in which the aim is 40% from each community and 20% other, and that's the box we are ticking."

Ms Ervine said there are 16 places available at the school, 14 of which have been filled.

"We are a preschool in the integrated sector, in which the aim is 40% from each community and 20% other, and that's the box we are ticking."

She thanked those who have sent messages of support, which she said "have come from all over the communities in Northern Ireland."

Additional reporting PA