Protestants end Holy Cross stand-off

Loyalists have suspended their protests outside the Holy Cross Catholic school in north Belfast.

The decision was taken after Protestant residents from Glenbryn voted in favour of a package of community safety measures in the Ardoyne area, which include the installation of closed circuit cameras to end the stand-off.

The decision was reached after direct intervention from the First and Deputy First Ministers.

Nigel Dodds of the DUP and Billy Hutchinson of the PUP were also present at the meeting.

Chairman of the Holy Cross Board of Governors, Fr Aidan Troy welcomed the move.

The demonstration from Protestant residents against Catholic schoolgirls and their parents going through their area to the school has lasted 12 months, during which the children have had to endure verbal abuse and a pipe bomb attack.