Further talks needed on north Belfast peace wall dispute

Legal action has prevented work starting on a peace wall at a north Belfast flashpoint.

The Governors of Holy Cross girl’s primary school in Ardoyne had intended to apply for leave to seek a judicial review of the First and Deputy’s First Minister’s decision to build a wall on a part of the Ardoyne Road. However following legal advice it was decided that action would not be taken at this time.

Father Aidan Troy, Chairman of the Holy Cross Board of Governors said he thought the wall would make the situation worse.

Construction was due to start this week on the erection of a protective wall around houses along the Ardoyne Road at the interface.

It was part of the measures proposed by Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan to try and improve community dialogue and safety in the area following almost a year of bitter conflict.

However proposals to realign Ardoyne road and the building of a wall represent the more contentious aspects of the document have, as yet, to be finalised.

Nationalists from Ardoyne have expressed concerns to the executive that a wall would restrict vision of their children going and coming from the primary school.

Residents in the Glenbryn area said they felt the wall was central to their security following sectarian violence in the area.

A spokesman for the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister said: “Both ministers have made it clear the only way forward is to consult with both communities. There is no way they could impose a wall on a community if they didn’t want it.”

Anne Bill of the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne said: “No one wants a wall but it’s all a matter of building up trust. We support Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan’s proposals put to us in May, even though we had reservations and it took a lot of debate to agree to the package – because you can’t just accept parts of it – its all or nothing. But we feel that it accommodates both communities and now its time for the executive to say what they are going to do next.”

(AMcE)