19/11/2001
Man begins hunger strike to end Holy Cross dispute
A parent at Holy Cross Primary School in north Belfast has begun a hunger strike aimed at stopping the protest.
The man, whose daughter attends Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne, which has been the focus of a bitter sectarian feud between nationalist parents and loyalist protesters, has been refusing food since last Wednesday.
It has been reported that the 31-year-old father-of-two, whose identity has not been disclosed, is conducting the fast because he sees no other way of resolving the situation.
However chairman of the board of governors of Holy Cross Father Aidan Troy, has urged the man not to continue with his fast.
Fr Troy who spent the weekend with the man said: “This is very much an act of frustration, an act of desperation.” He also said that while he understood why the man was fasting, it could have disastrous consequences for the man and his family.
Stuart McCartney who represents the Protestant Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne has said that while he sympathised with the man, he felt the action could be avoided. Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster on Monday from the picket line he said: “This whole thing could have been finished a long time ago, I am concerned about how many more victims, such as this gentleman, it is going to take, before this is resolved.”
The hunger strike is the latest development in a conflict which has seen police line the route taken by children and their parents to and from the Holy Cross school in the sectarian flashpoint area. (AMcE)
The man, whose daughter attends Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne, which has been the focus of a bitter sectarian feud between nationalist parents and loyalist protesters, has been refusing food since last Wednesday.
It has been reported that the 31-year-old father-of-two, whose identity has not been disclosed, is conducting the fast because he sees no other way of resolving the situation.
However chairman of the board of governors of Holy Cross Father Aidan Troy, has urged the man not to continue with his fast.
Fr Troy who spent the weekend with the man said: “This is very much an act of frustration, an act of desperation.” He also said that while he understood why the man was fasting, it could have disastrous consequences for the man and his family.
Stuart McCartney who represents the Protestant Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne has said that while he sympathised with the man, he felt the action could be avoided. Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster on Monday from the picket line he said: “This whole thing could have been finished a long time ago, I am concerned about how many more victims, such as this gentleman, it is going to take, before this is resolved.”
The hunger strike is the latest development in a conflict which has seen police line the route taken by children and their parents to and from the Holy Cross school in the sectarian flashpoint area. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 November 2001
Residents resume school protest in Ardoyne
Protestant residents in the Glenbryn area of north Belfast have resumed their protest outside the Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne on Friday afternoon.
Residents resume school protest in Ardoyne
Protestant residents in the Glenbryn area of north Belfast have resumed their protest outside the Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne on Friday afternoon.
08 November 2001
Parent of Holy Cross child takes legal action
The mother of a pupil at Holy Cross School where loyalists are holding daily protests is taking court action against the police and the government.
Parent of Holy Cross child takes legal action
The mother of a pupil at Holy Cross School where loyalists are holding daily protests is taking court action against the police and the government.
09 January 2002
Trouble flares outside Holy Cross Primary School
Trouble has flared outside the beleaguered Holy Cross primary school in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast. The PSNI reported that trouble between residents from the Protestant Glenbryn estate and parents from neighbouring Catholic Ardoyne erupted around 2.30pm outside the Catholic primary school on Wednesday January 9.
Trouble flares outside Holy Cross Primary School
Trouble has flared outside the beleaguered Holy Cross primary school in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast. The PSNI reported that trouble between residents from the Protestant Glenbryn estate and parents from neighbouring Catholic Ardoyne erupted around 2.30pm outside the Catholic primary school on Wednesday January 9.
15 November 2001
Trimble and Durkan attempt to end Holy Cross dispute
The First and Deputy First Ministers have announced they will be meeting with assembly members from north Belfast in a bid to end the protest at Holy Cross Primary School. Following the Wednesday November 14 meeting of the new executive David Trimble and Mark Durkan both called for an end to the conflict in north Belfast.
Trimble and Durkan attempt to end Holy Cross dispute
The First and Deputy First Ministers have announced they will be meeting with assembly members from north Belfast in a bid to end the protest at Holy Cross Primary School. Following the Wednesday November 14 meeting of the new executive David Trimble and Mark Durkan both called for an end to the conflict in north Belfast.
18 October 2001
Ongoing north Belfast violence investigated
The RUC are investigating the cause of an explosion at the back of a house in Alliance Avenue in north Belfast. The explosion, which was reported at about 3.10pm on Wednesday October 17, severely damaged the back of a Catholic home in the flashpoint Alliance Avenue area.
Ongoing north Belfast violence investigated
The RUC are investigating the cause of an explosion at the back of a house in Alliance Avenue in north Belfast. The explosion, which was reported at about 3.10pm on Wednesday October 17, severely damaged the back of a Catholic home in the flashpoint Alliance Avenue area.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.