Menu
28/08/2001
No resolution over flashpoint school access
With just days to go before primary school children are due to return to their classes the dispute over access to the Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School in the Ardoyne area of Belfast has yet to be resolved.
Ongoing talks between residents and community leaders have failed to find a solution to the problem.
Brendan Mailey of the Right to Education Group, representing the interests of the school children and their parents, said that talks had broken down. He said that loyalists wanted to bring in other issues that were not related to the children’s right to access to the school. Mr Mailey said: “They were trying to use them as political hostages and political leverage, and we are not going into that.”
Community worker Mark Coulter speaking on behalf of the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne said that these other issues had to be discussed to find a solution to the problem. He said that the single issue of access to the school was not the only problem in an area where he said Protestant people had been attacked and abused, and felt threatened in their homes.
However, Mr Coulter said that he remained hopeful that there would be some form of solution to the problem before the primary school reopened following the school holidays.
The entrance to the Holy Cross school is located near a troubled community interface in Ardoyne, which has seen rioting and strained community relations in the area.
In June clashes developed between nationalists and loyalists as parents and children from the Catholic primary school were involved in a prolonged standoff with residents from the mainly Protestant Upper Ardoyne.
Loyalist residents had claimed that there had been republican attacks in the area, while nationalist residents claimed that school children had been prevented form getting to school by loyalists. (SP)
Ongoing talks between residents and community leaders have failed to find a solution to the problem.
Brendan Mailey of the Right to Education Group, representing the interests of the school children and their parents, said that talks had broken down. He said that loyalists wanted to bring in other issues that were not related to the children’s right to access to the school. Mr Mailey said: “They were trying to use them as political hostages and political leverage, and we are not going into that.”
Community worker Mark Coulter speaking on behalf of the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne said that these other issues had to be discussed to find a solution to the problem. He said that the single issue of access to the school was not the only problem in an area where he said Protestant people had been attacked and abused, and felt threatened in their homes.
However, Mr Coulter said that he remained hopeful that there would be some form of solution to the problem before the primary school reopened following the school holidays.
The entrance to the Holy Cross school is located near a troubled community interface in Ardoyne, which has seen rioting and strained community relations in the area.
In June clashes developed between nationalists and loyalists as parents and children from the Catholic primary school were involved in a prolonged standoff with residents from the mainly Protestant Upper Ardoyne.
Loyalist residents had claimed that there had been republican attacks in the area, while nationalist residents claimed that school children had been prevented form getting to school by loyalists. (SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
05 July 2013
Orange Order Agrees To Nationalist Talks
The Orange Order has agreed to engage in talks with a nationalist residents group in north Belfast, following an appeal by a unionist residents group. The Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association asked local Orange lodges to speak to the Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents Association to find a way to help the 12th of July parades pass off peacefully.
Orange Order Agrees To Nationalist Talks
The Orange Order has agreed to engage in talks with a nationalist residents group in north Belfast, following an appeal by a unionist residents group. The Twaddell and Woodvale Residents Association asked local Orange lodges to speak to the Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents Association to find a way to help the 12th of July parades pass off peacefully.
21 October 2022
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
15 October 2001
Priest urges Holy Cross parents to use cars
A priest at the centre of the Holy Cross school dispute in north Belfast has suggested parents should consider using cars or buses to take their children to school. Father Aidan Troy, chairman of the board of governors at Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School in Ardoyne, said he would be enhancing efforts to find a resolution to the dispute.
Priest urges Holy Cross parents to use cars
A priest at the centre of the Holy Cross school dispute in north Belfast has suggested parents should consider using cars or buses to take their children to school. Father Aidan Troy, chairman of the board of governors at Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School in Ardoyne, said he would be enhancing efforts to find a resolution to the dispute.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
