Attack on school bus widely condemned

Friday’s attack on a school bus carrying children to an integrated college has received broad condemnation from all political sectors in Northern Ireland.

The attack took place on Friday morning when seven children aged between 12 and 16 years old - who attend a school of mixed denomination - were cut by flying glass after a concrete block was thrown at their school bus in north Belfast.

Education Minister, Martin McGuinness described the attack as “appalling” and “quite clearly put innocent lives at risk.”

He added: “ All children have the right to travel to school free from fear or intimidation and I appeal to everyone in the local community, and the individuals concerned, to ensure there is no repeat of this type of despicable incident.

“I would again urge all local politicians in the north Belfast area to start talking, in order to find a way to bring this deplorable situation to an end.”

Security Minister Jane Kennedy echoed the Education Minister’s comments and has called for an immediate end to the harassment of children attending Holy Cross School in North Belfast: "There can be no acceptable level of harassment and intimidation of children. The world's press may have gone but threatening and abusive behaviour goes on and to continue to subject primary school children to it is outrageous.

“There are mechanisms to facilitate dialogue and to address concerns of the residents and I call on all those with influence within the community to do all that they can to bring this protest to an end.

She added: “Across Government work is going on to try to deal with the very real difficulties in the area. This will continue and I encourage everyone to give it their full support."

Meanwhile Sir Reg Empey and Séamus Mallon have both called for an immediate end to the violence in North Belfast and emphasised the urgent need for dialogue.

In a joint statement on Friday, both Ministers announced that they were urgently seeking meetings with elected representatives from North Belfast to address the ongoing difficulties affecting the area.

The Ministers continued: “The violence that we have witnessed in recent nights must stop now. The rioting and attacks only serve to heighten fear and tension in this area. It is the people of North Belfast who are suffering as a result.

“We intend to meet with elected representatives from North Belfast to address the difficulties that have led to the recent unrest. We will also be briefed by the Executive’s senior liaison officer based in North Belfast.

“It is important that everyone focuses on moving to a position where the conditions exist for effective dialogue to take place. A new environment needs to be created now, free from intimidation and violence, which will allow North Belfast to move forward.” (AMcE)