CALLS FOR CALM OVER NORTH BELFAST FLASHPOINT

DESPITE appeals for calm, violence has continued to erupt in the Catholic/Protestant interface area of Ardoyne in North Belfast.

The situation worsened on Thursday afternoon with an explosion on Alliance Avenue. A pipe bomb was thrown at a house adjacent to the peace line and a child playing nearby with friends was thrown against a fence by the impact of the blast. It is understood there was some damage to the house. One resident said it was amazing that no one was killed.

During follow up searches in the surrounding area police discovered three suspect devices, but came under attack from stone-throwing youths.

Protestant families were reported to be leaving the Alliance Avenue area.

Although crowds had dispersed in the late afternoon police continued to come under attack from bricks thrown over the peaceline separating the two communities. This event follows a week of sectarian violence in the Ardoyne area, which took on serious undertones on Wednesday night with 39 RUC officers being injured - five of which had to receive hospital treatment.

Nationalist community leaders are meeting to decide what action to take following a standoff outside the Catholic Holy Cross primary school on Thursday morning.

Trouble first broke out when children and their parents were prevented from leaving the school by stone throwing youths on Tuesday.

The school was closed the following day as many parents kept children away fearing for their safety.

The Education Minister Martin McGuinness said he was deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in the vicinity of Holy Cross Primary School. He said: “All children have a right to an education, free from danger, threats and intimidation.”

Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy said: “Things are very tense at the moment, that is very clear. But this situation has been difficult for a long time and it isn’t going to get easier overnight.

“I would condemn outright any of those individuals who got involved in those disturbances, from which ever community they come. That sort of violence is completely unacceptable and is unjustified.”

Secretary of State Dr John Reid said: “The sight of thugs throwing petrol bombs and bricks at police will be sickening to all decent people I northern Ireland. This sort of violence promotes no cause, it destroys the communities and drags down the reputation of Northern Ireland across the world.” (AMcE)