08/11/2001

Parent of Holy Cross child takes legal action

The mother of a pupil at Holy Cross School where loyalists are holding daily protests is taking court action against the police and the government.

The parent, who has not been identified for her and her child’s protection, has instructed Belfast-based solicitors Madden and Finucane to begin court proceedings “as a last resort” because of concerns over her seven-year-old daughter's safety and well being.

In an affidavit lodged with the court she said the police had "failed to identify, arrest or prosecute those protestors breaking the law in full public view" at Holy Cross Girls' Primary School in Ardoyne. The woman also said the "failure" by the police and government to act "has allowed the violence against the children to continue".

In a statement the parent said: “This cannot go on any longer, we have tried everything to stop these attacks on our children to no avail. The RUC who are obliged to protect us seem to have been instructed not to take the necessary effective action to protect us in what seems to be a misguided policy of not antagonising the protestors who have broken the law with impunity".

Meanwhile, Loyalist residents have announced they will call off their protest outside Holy Cross on Friday while children sit their 11-plus exam.

The move comes as parents of children at the Holy Cross Girls' Primary School in Ardoyne said they would no longer line up and wait to walk to the school en masse. The protest will be suspended for the duration of the exam, but will resume in the afternoon. (AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 November 2024
Eligibility For Free School Meals And Uniform Grants To Be Reviewed
Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a review of the eligibility criteria for free school meals and uniform grants, seeking input from the public with a new consultation. The consultation will examine the number of children and young people who could benefit from free school meals and uniform grants.
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.
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.
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.
28 August 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.