Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly today observed a minute's silence in memory of the young Catholic postal worker murdered by loyalists at the weekend.
Stormont speaker Lord Alderdice called for the House to stand together in sympathy with the family of 20-year-old Daniel McColgan, gunned down as he arrived for work in the loyalist Rathcoole Estate.
The tribute followed an emergency debate held in the chamber to discuss the rapidly deteriorating security situation.
Stormont First Minister David Trimble described the murder and recent attacks on schools in north Belfast, adding dialogue was the only way to break the cycle of hatred and violence enveloping north Belfast.
"We are sure that the Assembly will share our horror and disgust at the return of sectarian violence to the streets of north Belfast and the murder of Daniel McColgan in Rathcoole," said Mr Trimble.
"Sectarian attacks have no place in a civilised society and we condemn those responsible." The 20-year-old postman was shot dead as he arrived for work on Saturday at Rathcoole, a sprawling loyalist estate on the outskirts of north Belfast.
It was claimed at first by the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used in the past by the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.
The UDA later admitted carrying out the killing.
He was murdered a day after the Red Hand Defenders issued a chilling threat that all staff at Catholic schools were no considered legitimate targets.
Mr Trimble, responding to an emergency question from Sinn Féin North Belfast representative Gerry Kelly, said all children had the right to go to school free from the threat of violence and intimidation.
"There can be no grievance which justifies the denial of this right, nor any cause that can be advanced by it."
Mr Durkan, who recently replaced John Hume as leader of the nationalist SDLP, called for effective policing action against any of the threats and attacks carried out by terrorist organisation.
"The strongest possible pressure we can make in this chamber is by trying to speak with one voice. It is important that we use this occasion make it absolutely clear that we reject those behind these threats and attacks."
Mr Kelly said nationalists in north Belfast were very worried at the threats made against Catholic workers.
"There is a worry about what we are doing and what people of influence in the unionist community are doing to try and end these attacks," he said.
Nigel Dodds, the Democratic Unionist MP for North Belfast, said all right-thinking people in his constituency were appalled by Mr McColgan's callous and brutal murder.
"It is not only a terrible tragedy for that young man's family but does absolutely nothing but raise fear and tension throughout the entire community on both sides in north Belfast," he said.
PA