The latest outbreak of naked hatred in North Belfast is unacceptable in any normal society. The attacks on young children - of any denomination - on their first days at school cannot possibly be justified, whatever the complexities of living in the interface area of the city. Northern Ireland is, once again, looking into an abyss of anarchy as tensions mount and the political process remains in stalemate.
For the second day in a row, there were ugly scenes in the Ardoyne area yesterday as parents accompanied their young children to the local Holy Cross Catholic girls' primary school. They were forced to walk 300 yards through a predominantly Protestant area shielded by a security cordon of RUC and British Army personnel. The most unspeakable sectarian abuse was hurled at them by local loyalists.
That such scenes of terror and loathing should be visited on young children on their traumatic first days at school is behaviour that must be abhorred by any civilised society.
The speed with which political and Church leaders have condemned the latest outbreak is a testament to that fact. The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, and Church leaders from both sides of the divide, Archbishop Robin Eames and the Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Patrick Walsh, have urged caution.
In separate statements yesterday, they warned that there must be a better way of conflict-resolution than vicious attacks on the most vulnerable school children. Their cautious words must not be allowed to fall on deaf ears.
For in another flashpoint area in North Belfast yesterday, Thomas McDonagh, a 16-year-old Protestant youth, became the latest victim of violence. He was riding a BMX bicycle on the Whitewell Road when a car collided into him and killed him. A friend of the boy's family has warned that loyalists would be intent on seeking revenge. "It will be an eye for an eye and there is no point in telling lies about it."
The chairman of the board of governors of Holy Cross girls' school has correctly characterised the latest outbreak of conflict in North Belfast as "raw, naked vitriol". Tensions are mounting.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights' Commission published its Bill of Rights, a consultative document, in the Waterfront Hall yesterday. Surely one of the most basic rights for any young child is a safe passage to school? A security operation - necessary though it seems in the present situation in North Belfast - is not the solution. Two days into the new school year, it is time for political and community leaders to do all in their power to bring people back from the brink.