The US State Department has called on all sides in the North to show restraint in the current spate of violence in Ardoyne. The Department, in a statement, expressed deep concern at the killing of a 16-year-old boy as well as what it called recurring images of young schoolgirls running a gauntlet of hate.
The statement described the images as despicable. In a further development, the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, is being briefed by the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, on the crisis over access to Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne.
He will also meet the North's Security Minister, Jane Kennedy, and will later be in contact with the principal and the chairman of the Board of Governors of the school. Dr Reid condemned the "savage sectarian attacks" on children attending the school in North Belfast.
He cut short a holiday to return to Belfast to deal with the crisis, which has erupted on Monday. He said that television pictures of the confrontation had caused "revulsion" around the world.
"Young children have been subjected to appalling attacks – another generation introduced to the shameful side of our society," Dr Reid said. He added that the "violent sectarian bigotry" had drowned out any legitimate grievances the demonstrators might have.
Meanwhile, Gerry Adams has met some of the parents of pupils of the school at the centre of the dispute. The Sinn Féin president, speaking after the meeting, said that there was no excuse for the prejudice, bigotry and sectarian abuse witnessed at the school over the past four days.
Mr Adams also offered to meet any of the Unionist representatives as a means of addressing the grievances of local Loyalist residents in Ardoyne.
Earlier, the Red Hand Defenders issued death threats against the parents of several children attending the school. Philomena Flood said that the RUC had told her that she and three other parents would be killed by the Loyalist paramilitary group if they were seen taking their children to the school via the Ardoyne Road.
This morning, local residents sounded whistles and foghorns and clashed dustbin lids in protest against the children walking through a Loyalist estate to reach the school.
One of the parents, Elaine Byrne, said that although it was a terrifying experience she was relieved that her daughters got to school safely this morning. She said that she now hoped the problem can be resolved.
In a another development, a group representing parents at Holy Cross has announced plans for a peaceful rally on the Ardoyne Road tomorrow and they called on people from across Belfast to attend.
The Right to Education Group urged all religious leaders in Ireland to escort the children and parents of the school to their place of education. They also called on all the leaders of all political parties in the North to hold a discussion with the parents on how to get the children to school safely.
The RUC says that while there were some minor street disturbances in the area last night it has been generally quieter than previous nights. A police spokesman said that two young people were arrested for riotous behaviour. Earlier this week, the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name been used by the Loyalist paramilitary UDA and LVF, warned parents not to use the Ardoyne Road.
On Morning Ireland, John White of the Ulster Democratic Party, which has links to the UDA, said that if things passed off peacefully today there could be an opportunity for both communities to engage in dialogue.
In a separate incident, the RUC is investigating a petrol bomb attack on a house in west Belfast early today. No one was injured in the attack and little damage was caused in the incident at La Salle Park at about 12.15am.
Neighbours heard a car pull up and an explosion shortly afterwards. The vehicle then sped off. Slight damage was caused to brickwork and a window.
