Two arrested at Holy Cross school protest

Two people have been arrested at the ongoing protest at Holy Cross Primary School in Belfast.

Two people have been arrested at the ongoing protest at Holy Cross Primary School in Belfast.

A woman was arrested for disorderly behaviour as children in fancy dress costumes walked with parents to the school before 9 a.m.

A man was later arrested for assaulting a police officer when a group of 10 parents tried to walk to the school at 10 a.m. to attend the children's Hallowe'en concert.

Around 50 Protestant residents, angry they had not been consulted about what they saw as an unscheduled walk, blocked the Ardoyne Road. Police used their shields to push protesters off the road to allow parents through.

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The chairman of the school's board of governors, Father Aidan Troy, said any air of normality had disappeared from the area.

Meanwhile, the North's Education Minister has announced extra funding for Holy Cross and for Wheatfield Primary School, which faces it across the Ardoyne Road.

The schools will receive a total of £154,000, which will be used to pay for substitute teachers, classroom assistants, curriculum support for P7 pupils, and funding for respite activities for both staff and students.

An 18-year-old British soldier was injured last night during disturbances in the Ardoyne area.

His patrol was attacked by a crowd throwing petrol bombs and other missiles shortly after 9 p.m.

It is believed he was hit by a device, possibly a blast bomb, in the Glenbryn Drive area next to Holy Cross Primary School. He was taken to hospital. He was described as seriously ill.

Meanwhile a number of people had to be treated for shock when a blast bomb exploded at the rear of a house in Alliance Avenue.