Setback in Holy Cross dispute

Security forces have been escorting the pupils to school

Attempts to resolve the Holy Cross school dispute have suffered a setback after the Protestant residents group said it was "suspending all business".

In a statement the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne blamed the move on the arrests of seven residents.

Six men arrested appeared at Belfast Magistrate's Court in Belfast on Thursday charged with public order offences.

They were charged with causing an affray on the 3 September, the first day of the new school term.

All six denied the charges or made no reply. They were bailed and and told to stay away from the protest at the school.

The loyalist residents' group said that as a result of the arrests it would no longer have any influence on future protests at Holy Cross Girls' Primary School in Ardoyne.

Pupils at the school and their parents have been escorted to school by the security forces every day past the protesters attempting to block their route.

Protest continues

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning residents from the Glenbryn area sounded horns and whistles as the parents brought their children to the Catholic school.

There were also some shouts of abuse as the children were escorted to school by the police on the third week of the protest.

John Reid is involved in trying to broker agreement between Ardoyne residents

On Wednesday, a spokesman of the parents said there was no resolution to the dispute in sight.

The parents have been meeting the Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid, who is trying to broker an agreement between the parents and the loyalist residents of Glenbryn, where the school is situated.

Brendan Mailey of the Right to Education Group representing the parents said this week there was still no sign of a start to talks which could resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, Irish Premier Bertie Ahern described the protests at the Holy Cross as a "shameful spectacle of sectarian harassment".

On Wednesday, Mr Ahern said the protests showed that many situations could arise in which a police service was vital to protect the rights of the community.

The residents have been protesting at the school because of alleged attacks on their homes.

The dispute started in June, but a series of attempts to start talks between the two groups over the summer broke up in mutual recrimination.