By Frank McNamara


A SPOKESMAN for the Protestant community in Upper Ardoyne has said the “peaceful protest” by loyalists will continue on the route Holy Cross pupils take to their school.

Mark Coulter, spokesman for the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne, said he believes the demonstration – which yesterday consisted of shrill whistle blasts and banging bin-lids – is gaining support.

Mr Coulter, who was speaking as children made their way through a security cordon for the fourth day, said: “I believe the peaceful protest will carry on.

“It will continue until the issues which brought it about are recognised and addressed.

“I think support for the protest is building. A meeting has been held to ensure the protest remains peaceful and dignified so that the community can give it 100 per cent support.”

The change in tactics by the loyalist protesters was welcomed by the RUC Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan.

“Today saw a significant change in the nature and character of the protest, which allowed the police operation to be adjusted accordingly,” he said.

“It was much better for everyone and much less traumatic, but I think it’s too early to say if we are over the worst.

“Our first priority continues to be the safety of the children and that remains the case. We will provide protection for as long as it takes and we have the resources to do that.”

Mr McQuillan was speaking at a press conference in Castlereagh where Sam – the police dog injured in Wednesday’s blast-bomb attack – put in an appearance.

Sam’s handler, PC Alan Ward, said the dog went into shock when hit by shrapnel, but added that he hoped the five-year-old Alsatian would recover from an injury to one of its hind legs.

Mr McQuillan went on to say masked loyalists on the Ardoyne Road yesterday may have been trying to hide their identities from republicans walking with the parents and children.

He added that the nature of the area meant paramilitaries from both sides may have been present.

During the day, Belfast lord mayor Jim Rodgers visited both the Holy Cross and the nearby Wheatfield primary schools.

Councillor Rodgers reaffirmed his hope that the protest could be concluded peaceful and once again condemned the violence associated with the protest and said he would be urging security minister Jane Kennedy to “take all the necessary steps” to resolve the current difficulties.

Earlier, Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein assemblyman for north Belfast, accepted loyalist protests had been more peaceful in nature, but insisted more needed to be done.

He said: “It’s better than yesterday, the physical attacks did not happen, but children were still frightened. To describe it as a peaceful protest is
erroneous.”

Mr Kelly also claimed north Belfast Democratic Unionist Party MP Nigel Dodds had failed to discuss Catholic parents’ concerns with them.

“Dialogue has to occur, but we shouldn’t be dealing with
mythical dialogue,” he said.

SDLP assembly member, Alban Maginness, agreed the tactics used by Protestants were an improvement, but described their attitude as “belligerent”.

He said: “I welcome the de-escalation in the loyalist protests.

“But whistle-blowing and horns is still not conducive to the creation of a peaceful atmosphere.

“I want to see that ended and I want to see a further de-escalation in loyalist protests so children can go peacefully to school.

“That will allow the creation of a cross-community forum to address all the outstanding issues and concerns of both communities.”

Meanwhile, north Belfast MP Nigel Dodds called for any continuing protest to remain peaceful and dignified.

He said: “It is essential that violence in no way is allowed to happen. And I hope that the wishes of the Glenbryn community are respected in terms of their wish for no violence.”

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