Angry mobs turn on Catholic school children

Parents and their children tried in vain to walk to school in Belfast this morning in a repeat of yesterday’s violent scenes.

Police officers were on hand to curb loyalist attacks on schoolchildren who were attempting to reach their school through a Protestant area.

Residents of the area threw stones and shouted obscenities at the Catholic children of Holy Cross National School.

Most of the children, some of whom are as young as four, were forced to turn back as angry mobs attacked them.

The route to the school was lined with RUC Landrovers and scuffles broke out near the entrance to the road.

An alternative route to the back door of the school was used by families in order to avoid the mobs, despite the fact that it is three-quarters of a mile longer.