Children at Holy Cross primary school in north Belfast returned to their classes yesterday without facing a loyalist protest for the first time in 12 weeks. The police presence was dramatically scaled down but officers remained on standby in case of trouble.
A pipe-bomb was discovered in the garden of a house in Alliance Avenue, some 600 yards from the school in Ardoyne. It was defused by British army bomb experts.
Yesterday's school walk passed without incident following a decision by Glenbryn residents to suspend their daily protests.
It followed negotiations with the North's First and Deputy First Ministers, Mr David Trimble and Mr Mark Durkan, which resulted in a package of traffic and security measures for the area.
A handful of loyalists stood observing as groups of parents and children walked the 400 yards to the school.
Chief Insp Murray Sterritt said there was one unit in Ardoyne Road, compared with eight at the height of the protest. "We would be fairly confident that things will continue to go well from what I have heard from both communities," he said.
First to walk up the road was Ms Tracy McLaughlin and her daughter Megan (5). She said it was wonderful to be able to take her daughter to school without verbal abuse or threats of violence.
Catholic parents and loyalist residents held talks on Sunday. They are hoping to set up a community forum.
Holy Cross principal Ms Anne Tanney stood in Ardoyne Road greeting parents as they arrived. "We are absolutely delighted to get back to something like normal. We are hoping that through discussions we will be able to build on the relationships."
Mr Jim Potts, spokesman for the Glenbryn residents, said he was confident the protest had ended for good and he was looking forward to the community forum meeting.
The chairman of Holy Cross board of governors, Father Aidan Troy, said it had been very important that the walk to school had taken place without abuse.