Republican News · Thursday 22 November 2001

Stand up and be counted

BY LAURA FRIEL

It's time for public figures to stand up and be counted; that was this week's message from the parents and pupils of Holy Cross Primary School as the loyalist blockade continued.

Recently the parents' Right to Education Group and their supporters in Friends of Holy Cross have been lobbying public figures, organisations and church leaders to come out and openly support the children. Following pressure from parents, the children's charity NSPPC publicly called for the loyalist blockade to end.

The NSPPC said they were calling for an end to the protests "as the safety and emotional wellbeing of the children must be a priority over all other considerations".

Parents and their supporters have welcomed the NSPPC statement but remain critical of others. Last Monday, a meeting between members of the Right to Education and a representative of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions fared less well. In a statement issued after the meeting parents described themselves as "deeply disappointed" at the lack of support.

"We are particularly dissatisfied at the ongoing silence from this organisation. The issue is simple - either children have the right to attend school free from sectarian harassment or they don't. Where does the ICTU stand? We are calling on the ICTU to make its position clear and call for an end to the loyalist blockade."

Holy Cross parents have also been disappointed by the continuing failure of Bertie Ahern to stand up and be counted on this issue. Despite being contacted by parents and supporters, the Taoiseach's officer remains unwilling to make any comment on the Holy Cross blockade.

"I think it is despicable," commented a parent. "After all, our children are Irish citizens and have endured months of violent protest. If this was taking place south of the border, I am sure Bertie Ahern would not be so indifferent in his response."

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that a website supporting the children has received over 350,000 visitors since it was established at the beginning of November. The site, www.ardoyne.com, asks visitors to sign a petition supporting Holy Cross children's right to education free from intimidation.

Brendan Mailey said messages of support have been received from Russia, Japan, Australia and across the world.