Rodney Edwards

Enniskillen, Island

Editor, The Impartial Reporter. UK Weekly Newspaper of the Year ‘24. Award-winning investigative journalist (Amnesty International; Society of Editors). Author.

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Articles

‘Why was he still singing?’: St. Macartin’s under scrutiny after Baxter conviction

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

Concerns have emerged over the handling of safeguarding matters within St. Macartin’s Cathedral following the conviction of former choir member David Baxter for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl. The case has prompted renewed calls for transparency and accountability within the Church of Ireland, with some members of the congregation voicing discomfort at what they describe as a troubling culture of silence surrounding Baxter’s prominent role in church life.
Convicted teacher Baxter 'sent unsolicited image of schoolgirl'

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

A former tutor at Enniskillen Integrated College has revealed how they received an unsolicited photograph from David Baxter – convicted last month of sexually assaulting a female pupil – showing a schoolgirl at the school in uniform and seated in an "inappropriate pose". The incident involved a late-night message sent via WhatsApp from the teacher to the tutor, who had been working with students at the Fermanagh school on a part-time basis at the time.
Who knew what?: Mystery still surrounds resignation of governors

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

Mystery still surrounds the mass resignation of nine out of 11 members of Erne Integrated College’s board of governors in May 2023. Serious questions remain unanswered about what prompted the dramatic collapse in governance — and why those who once held oversight of the school have refused to publicly explain their departure.
‘We were let down’: Child safeguarding failings laid bare by staff at school

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

Two staff members spoke to The Impartial Reporter (Image: John McVitty) Staff at Erne Integrate College say they were “not listened to” by the Board of Governors and the school’s child protection officer before teacher David Baxter was found guilty of sexually assaulting a pupil. “Both the current and the previous board of governors have let us down,” said one teacher, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions.
‘We told the school about the assault, they did nothing’

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

David Baxter, leaving Enniskillen Court. The parent of Baxter’s victim has criticised the response of Erne Integrated College after her daughter was sexually assaulted, saying the school failed to offer the support and sensitivity the family expected. The woman, whose daughter was a student at the Enniskillen-based school at the time of the assault, has spoken out following the recent conviction of the former staff member for the sexual assault of a pupil.
Mother claims school ignored early red flags about convicted teacher

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

A stock image of a person in silhouette (Pexels) Image: Pexels A concerned mother has spoken out about her daughter’s time at Erne Integrated College under the supervision of now-convicted former music teacher, David Baxter. Speaking anonymously, she revealed how early warning signs were dismissed, and how her parental instincts likely shielded her daughter from more serious harm. Her daughter began Year 8 at Erne Integrated College in September 2016.
Staff accuse school of failing to stop sex offender teacher

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

The Impartial Reporter Investigates. (Image: Newsquest Graphics Department.) Serious allegations of child protection failings, and staff intimidation have been levelled against Erne Integrated College, an investigation by The Impartial Reporter has found.
'My school didn’t listen to me': Baxter's victim speaks out

1 week ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

In a music room without windows, a silence grew. Not the kind that nurtures concentration — but the kind that cloaks wrongdoing. And in that silence, a child was left alone. David Baxter, a former music teacher at Erne Integrated College in Enniskillen, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a student last month — a girl whose bravery in recounting her trauma has laid bare not only the harm inflicted by one man, but the deeper harm of a system that failed to protect her. She was just a child.
Ex-policeman found guilty of targeting teen girl employed at Fermanagh school

2 weeks ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

William Lawson outside court in Scotland in 2015. (Image: NQ) A former police officer convicted of causing fear and alarm to a teenage girl has taken up a job as a caretaker at a Fermanagh primary school, The Impartial Reporter can reveal. William Gary Lawson, 56, was found guilty in 2015 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court of making inappropriate and unsettling remarks to a 15-year-old girl over several months.
Victim speaks out after former teacher found guilty of abuse

1 month ago | impartialreporter.com | Rodney Edwards

Erne Integrated College. (Image: Impartial Reporter) A teenager who was sexually assaulted by David Baxter when she a child has spoken out following the conviction of her former teacher, describing years of feeling "invisible" and battling to be believed. Baxter was found guilty on Tuesday of abusing the victim when she was a young girl, in a case that has raised serious concerns about child protection within Erne Integrated College.