The Police Service of Northern Ireland was last night planning a major new security operation at the Holy Cross primary school in north Belfast where loyalists have called off their protest.
Catholic parents are hoping they can take their children to the school in Ardoyne today, free from picketing or sectarian abuse for the first time in 12 weeks. Glenbryn residents ended their protest at a meeting on Friday night.
Their decision was welcomed by the North's Education Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, local DUP MP Mr Nigel Dodds, and Presbyterian moderator Dr Alastair Dunlop. SDLP Assembly member Mr Alban Maginness, Progressive Unionist Assembly member Mr Billy Hutchinson, and Alliance leader Mr David Ford, also welcomed the decision.
It followed the intervention of the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and his deputy, Mr Mark Durkan. It is understood residents have been promised a package of security measures, including CCTV cameras, speed ramps, and increased police patrols. The residents yesterday met Catholic parents to discuss the children's journey to school today.
The parents welcomed the decision but have said they remain wary. However, Ballysillan Presbyterian minister, Rev Norman Hamilton, who attended the meeting, said he hoped for a "trouble-free" day. "My over-riding hope is for a nice quiet morning, that parents and children will be able to get to Holy Cross quietly and peacefully and that parents and children will be able to get to Wheatfield Primary peacefully and quietly."
Father Aidan Troy of Holy Cross said he was relieved the protest had ended but a huge test lay ahead. Asst Chief Constable Mr Alan McQuillan said: "We will have a major operation in place on the Ardoyne Road but it will be of a different character to what we have had in the past."