11/09/2001
School talks held in north Belfast
Talks have taken place between representatives of loyalist protesters and the board of governors at a Catholic school in north Belfast.
The meeting, involving residents from the Protestant Glenbryn estate and Father Aidan Troy, chairman of the board of governors of Holy Cross Primary School, lasted just over an hour and saw both sides emerging from the meeting to describe the discussions as 'totally exploratory'.
Speaking after the event, Father Aidan Troy said he warmly welcomed the atmosphere in which the talks were held. However, he said that “there was absolutely no possibility of setting down any sort of propositions. We were exploring with each other where we were and what we saw as important – nothing else”.
Local Presbyterian minister, Reverend Norman Hamilton added that any final deal would have to be between the two communities. He said: “There was no deal on the table and no deal was attempted to be negotiated. Any way forward has to be worked out within the community and between the two communities.”
The early morning talks came after the security forces again escorted parents and children to the Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne where Protestant residents have been staging daily protests. On Tuesday, protestors once again were silent as parents escorted their children to school but became abusive on their return to the catholic area of Ardoyne. Whistles and air horns were blown as the nationalist parents walked back down Ardoyne Road.
Loyalists have been protesting about alleged attacks on their homes by blocking the route of Catholic children to their school in a Protestant area of Ardoyne.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid is to meet Protestant residents later on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing dispute. John Reid and 14 residents from the Glenbryn estate and two facilitators are expected to hold talks in Hillsborough Castle around 7pm on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile a Sinn Féin delegation met with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the situation in Ardoyne and the policing issue.(AMcE)
The meeting, involving residents from the Protestant Glenbryn estate and Father Aidan Troy, chairman of the board of governors of Holy Cross Primary School, lasted just over an hour and saw both sides emerging from the meeting to describe the discussions as 'totally exploratory'.
Speaking after the event, Father Aidan Troy said he warmly welcomed the atmosphere in which the talks were held. However, he said that “there was absolutely no possibility of setting down any sort of propositions. We were exploring with each other where we were and what we saw as important – nothing else”.
Local Presbyterian minister, Reverend Norman Hamilton added that any final deal would have to be between the two communities. He said: “There was no deal on the table and no deal was attempted to be negotiated. Any way forward has to be worked out within the community and between the two communities.”
The early morning talks came after the security forces again escorted parents and children to the Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne where Protestant residents have been staging daily protests. On Tuesday, protestors once again were silent as parents escorted their children to school but became abusive on their return to the catholic area of Ardoyne. Whistles and air horns were blown as the nationalist parents walked back down Ardoyne Road.
Loyalists have been protesting about alleged attacks on their homes by blocking the route of Catholic children to their school in a Protestant area of Ardoyne.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid is to meet Protestant residents later on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing dispute. John Reid and 14 residents from the Glenbryn estate and two facilitators are expected to hold talks in Hillsborough Castle around 7pm on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile a Sinn Féin delegation met with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the situation in Ardoyne and the policing issue.(AMcE)
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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.
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