Holy Cross protests 'could permanently damage pupils'

Catholic children enduring daily protests at their Belfast school could be permanently damaged, a priest at the centre of the dispute has warned.

As the stand-off at Holy Cross Primary School entered its fifth week, Father Aidan Troy urged political leaders to step up their efforts to end the "immoral" situation.

Riot police have been forced to mount a daily escort for parents and girls aged as young as four from the nationalist lower Ardoyne past Protestant residents from the loyalist Glenbryn enclave.

Fr Troy, who is also the chairman of the school's board of governors, said: "Their well being is under threat and damage is being done that may be difficult to remedy.

"Counselling support put in place by the school is tackling this."

Following blast bomb attacks on RUC lines protecting the pupils during early violent clashes, protesters have since staged silent vigils every day as the children walk past. A barrage of whistles and fog-horns are then directed at parents as they return to their district.

Fr Troy did not deny that loyalist residents angered at what they regard as efforts to force them out of the area have a right to feel aggrieved.

However, he insisted: "This must not, however, disguise the immorality and appalling danger to 220 pupils as they are daily subjected to fear and intimidation."

The priest noted that several parents have removed their children from Holy Cross because they can't take any more. The terrifying ordeal must not be accepted by those with any influence, Fr Troy insisted.

He added: "Public recognition by some politicians of the awfulness of this situation is to be welcomed. The silence of others must be questioned and challenged."