Parents consider peace moves in Ardoyne dispute

Talks have been held between loyalist and nationalists residents of Ardoyne in north Belfast over proposals to find a resolution…

Talks have been held between loyalist and nationalists residents of Ardoyne in north Belfast over proposals to find a resolution to the dispute that resulted in violent clashes last week.

Mr Mark Coulter, of the loyalist Upper Ardoyne residents' group, said they were awaiting a response to their proposals from the Catholic parents of children attending the Holy Cross primary school on the Protestant end of the Ardoyne Road, which has become a flash-point between the communities.

"We met yesterday, and the talks on proposals tabled by us are ongoing. They left saying they would have to consult with the other parents. We're disappointed it couldn't have been sorted out over the weekend," Mr Coulter said. The nationalist parents will meet tonight to consider the terms.

Last week there were ugly scenes during a four-day stand-off outside the school, and children were prevented from using the school's front entrance. Three nights of rioting meant the British army had to be deployed in the area to support the RUC. Twenty-four police officers were injured during clashes last Thursday.

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The proposals from the Upper Ardoyne group request the parents to use the Crumlin Road entrance of the school for the five days remaining in the school term and for there to be an immediate call for an end to violent protests from community leaders on both sides.

The proposals also outline the setting up of a community forum of agreed representatives who would aim to reach a settlement before the beginning of the new school year.

"This is an intensive community-led initiative. Political representatives are not involved," Mr Coulter said.