In this interview Mr. O’Donnell talks about his role as principal of a school used as a polling place. Mr. O’Donnell discusses his accepted role as a leader in the community and his apolitical efforts to decrease election violence. He describes the use of local resources and personal connections as a means of easing mobs and reducing damage. Mr. O’Donnell also provides is own analysis on why violence decreased when it did and what is to come in the future for Ireland.Mr. Charles O’Donnell was the principal of Holy Child Primary School in Creggan, Northern Ireland from 1990 to 2008. Mr. O’Donnell has a teaching certification and taught in another Creggan school, St. John’s, for the first part of his career. In his role as principal of Holy Child, Mr. O’Donnell assumed leadership in the community and after his school was selected as a polling place, was active in elections. At the time of the interview, he was retired and living in Creggan.
Case Study: Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Elections in Northern Ireland, 2005
Full Interview
Mr. Charles O’Donnell was the principal of Holy Child Primary School in Creggan, Northern Ireland from 1990 to 2008. Mr. O’Donnell has a teaching certification and taught in another Creggan school, St. John’s, for the first part of his career. In his role as principal of Holy Child, Mr. O’Donnell assumed leadership in the community and after his school was selected as a polling place, was active in elections. At the time of the interview, he was retired and living in Creggan.