Northern Ireland

Staff evacuated in hoax bomb alert at Holy Cross Girls' School in Ardoyne

Kerbstones outside Holy Cross Girls' School in north Belfast were painted red, white and blue during the summer. Picture by Mal McCann
Kerbstones outside Holy Cross Girls' School in north Belfast were painted red, white and blue during the summer. Picture by Mal McCann Kerbstones outside Holy Cross Girls' School in north Belfast were painted red, white and blue during the summer. Picture by Mal McCann

STAFF at a north Belfast primary school had to be evacuated yesterday during a security alert, in what a councillor has described as an attempt to ramp up tensions in the area.

A caller rang police claiming a bomb had been left at Holy Cross Girls' School in Ardoyne.

Officers using specially trained dogs searched the grounds before declaring it a hoax.

There were no pupils on the premises at the time as it was a training day but staff were evacuated during the alert.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said the sight of officers searching the grounds was a "chilling throwback to a dark place" in the school's history.

In 2001 Holy Cross was the scene of a blockade by loyalists.

Hundreds of protesters converged on the main route to the school, forcing armed police to accompany terrified children and their families to class.

Stones, bottles and a blast bomb were thrown, thrusting the school into the centre of international attention and leaving many pupils requiring counselling.

In recent months kerbstones at the entrance to the school have been painted red, white and blue in what was seen as an attempt to raise tensions.

Mr McCusker said: "The siege at Holy Cross Girls' School was one of the most shameful chapters of this island’s recent history.

"Whatever our political differences, it should not be taken out on innocent children trying to go to school."

He claimed there is "a total vacuum of leadership here, particularly from the DUP".

"The kerbstones outside this school have been painted red, white and blue for months in a deliberate attempt to intimidate teachers, children and their families.

"Where is North Belfast's MP? Why is Nigel Dodds turning a blind eye to this situation? Fifteen years on from the blockade of Holy Cross, it is critical that political leaders do all they can to bring these communities closer together.

"That work must continue in earnest."

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police received a report of a bomb left at a school in the Ardoyne Road area of north Belfast. Police conducted a search and nothing was found.

"The alert was deemed to be a hoax."

The Irish News contacted the DUP but it did not respond.