30 August 2001 Edition

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Holy Cross blockade looms again

Loyalists walk out of talks



As the new school year approaches, the prospects of a return to Holy Cross Primary School in North Belfast for scores of young children appears bleak after loyalists walked out of talks chaired by the Mediation Network aimed at resolving the blockade.

In June, loyalists blocked access to the primary school amid terrifying scenes, leaving heartbroken parents and crying children.

Talks set up under the auspices of the Mediation Network to resolve the situation have now broken down after Loyalists refused to continue negotiations with the parents, who have united to form the Right to Education Group (REG).

The parents have now called on the DUP MP for the area, Nigel Dodds to help secure safe passage for the schoolchildren. Brendan Mailey, spokesperson for the parents, said: ``The rights of children to access their place of education without precondition must be paramount. In the absence of any formal talks, we are calling on political and civic leaders to bring their influence to bear.''

It is believed that loyalists backed out of talks after parents refused to allow the issue of their children's education to be turned into a political football by militant loyalists. Talks have been ongoing for seven weeks over the summer holidays and the new term is due to begin on Monday, 3 September.

In a statement, the group said that they were not in a position to respond to all of the concerns raised by the loyalists during the 35 hours of negotiations. The parents said: ``We entered this as a group of parents with limited influence within our community. This is still the case. Our mandate comes from other parents. While we acknowledge that there are issues and deeply held grievances felt by Glenbryn, it is not within our power to resolve these issues.''

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland