Legacy of Holy Cross Blockade

Over the years, Loyal Order marches through the Ardoyne community have caused, increased tensions between the Unionist and Nationalist people of North Belfast. These unwelcome parades are viewed by Catholics as supremacist and coat-trailing exercises. They have caused trouble, riots, injuries and even deaths. After years of negotiations in the Nineties, the North's Political Parties reached agreement and published their terms. A referendum was held and the Belfast Agreement was endorsed by a majority of those who voted in both Irish States. Divided communities like those in the north of the city hoped the GFA would deliver peace to long-suffering people.

Orangemen & Supporters Attacking Ardoyne (1970)

At the beginning of 2001 however, the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) linked Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) expelled a number of it's members. The Party had not received many votes in the years following the GFA and consequently publicly withdrew it's support from the Peace Process. It claimed Nationalists and Republicans gained more concessions from the Good Friday Agreement than Loyalists and Unionists. The statements were quickly followed by a number of gun and bomb attacks on Republican homes in Ardoyne and the New Lodge areas. Three houses belonging to my family, including my own were shot into by Loyalists. Luckily, no-one was injured or killed although, the intent was clear. The attacks were claimed by the Red Hand Defenders (RHD), a cover-name for the UDA and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).

My late father and I viewing one of the bullet holes into my Ardoyne home



As the year progressed, Loyalist attacks intensified across North Belfast and beyond. At the end of June 2001, Loyalists erecting UDA flags outside a Catholic Primary School claimed an Ardoyne Taxi Driver deliberately drove his car at them. Within an hour, access to the School was blocked by a crowd who said they wouldn't let by. The Driver denied the claims and countered these claims accusing Loyalists of attacking his car with bricks. The dispute was to last for over three months and made international headlines, children some as young as four years-old were prevented from attending classes. Their parents refused to be intimidated and continued bringing their kids through a barrage of abuse and urine-filled balloons. The RUC, British Army, London & Stormont Governments refused to remove Loyalist Protesters off the road or ban their assemblies. After all, it was the last week of the School year. People in Ardoyne hoped the summer months would lead to a resolution.

Ciaran Cummings (19)



In early July, Ciaran Cummings (19) was gunned down on the outskirts of Antrim town. While he was waiting for a lift to work. His parents originally came from Ardoyne and most of his family still lived there. The killing came within hours of the Orange Order being banned from marching after a ceremony at Drumcree Church along the Nationalist Garvaghy Road area of Portadown. The killing shocked many as most believed the GFA had ended such brutality. In admitting the shooting, the RHD claimed it was in direct response to the election of two Sinn Fein Councillors including, my late father to Antrim Borough Council. Incredibility the Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, David Trimble claimed Republicans had actually been responsible for the killing.

RUC Presence on Ardoyne Road, (12/7/01)

On July 12th 2001, the Orange Order were again permitted by the new Parade's Commission to march through Ardoyne alongside a number of Loyalist bands and hundreds of supporters. The Holy Cross School Blockade and the facilitation of Loyalists by the RUC and British Army, Ardoyne residents took great exception to the massive 'security operation' to seal off the local businesses, homes and streets to allow a sectarian march. The killing of Ciaran Cummings didn't help matters either. Thousands of local people expressed anger towards the Crown Forces. As a result, a spontaneous riot erupted when the RUC manhandled a Youth Worker and refused to permit an elderly resident past their lines at the top of Estorial Park. The riot was particularly vicious and a total of 18 RUC men were injured before the area quietened down again.



Ardoyne Youths Rioting, (12/7/01)

Later the same month, a number of teenagers having a chat outside St. Enda's GAA Club on the Hightown Road in Glengormley were targeted by UDA gunmen. Gavin Brett (18) from the nearby Holybrook Estate died almost immediately from injuries sustained in the shooting. The young Protestant man had been innocently talking to his Catholic friend, Michael Farrell who was badly injured in the attack. Gavin's father Michael, a paramedic based at Ardoyne Ambulance Station tried to save his son by giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. His killing was also claimed by the RHD. 

Gavin Brett (18)

Throughout the remainder of July & August, Loyalists continued throwing numerous Pipe-Bombs into Nationalist homes in Alliance Avenue, most didn't explode. On one occassion however, a Pensioner's oil-tank exploded and caused a fire-ball at the back. Afterwards, residents manned hoses and did their best to repell petrol-bomb attacks. There was repeated attacks on Nationalist homes in the Deerpark Road area, also from Glenbryn. When Holy Cross returned after the summer break, the Blockade continued and even intensified. On the third morning, Loyalists hurled a Blast-Bomb towards the parents & children, it feel short of it's target and killed an RUC dog.

As a result, the Provisional IRA & INLA Units in Ardoyne took up arms in defence of the local community. As ever, the RUC & British Army remained aloof and stayed clear of Loyalist areas. Very few protesters, Loyalist Gunmen and Bombers were arrested, apprehended or took to Court by the State. A number of Priests, Parents with children at the School and local Republicans also recieved Death-Threats. Media Statements were issued by the RHD claiming that Snipers were placed on rooftops in Glenbryn to shoot on sight anyone who walked up the Ardoyne Road to the School. A number of letters were posted through Protestant homes in the Glenbryn area , purporting to come from the Catholic Reaction Force (CRF) threatening the lives of the owners. The CRF was a name used once by a group in South Armagh that brutally killed three Chruch goers in Darkley. Apart from that incident, the CRF did not exist and certainly not in Ardoyne.

Since the Holy Cross Dispute in 2001, the Parades issue has caused even more trouble year, after year. In 2005, a number of residents attempted to prevent the Orange Order from marching past Ardoyne. We were forcibly removed from the road, arrested and then de-arrested by the renamed RUC. Later that evening, as Orangemen returned from the field rioting again broke out and lasted a couple of days. Causing massive disruption to daily life in the area. Every year since then, protests against these unwelcome marches takes place, as does a massive security operation to facilitate them. Riots ensue and dozens of local youths are arrested, charged and imprisoned. Separated from their families and having to spend the next year behind bars.

From Ardoyne's point of view, Loyalist Protesters who badly abused , intimidated and threatened young Schoolgirls, Teachers, Parents and the Community had gotten away with their crimes. The failure of the Stormont & British Governments, Political Parties, RUC/PSNI, British Army and Courts to properly address the entire issue. Alongside, the huge number of victims killed during the Conflict, problems which affected the collective minds of Ardoyne. Local people, particularly the youth had experienced a hate-filled year and equated the massive difference in Policing the Blockade and the unwelcome sectarian march on the Twelfth. In addition to this, a lot of demographic changes had taken place in and around Ardoyne. With a large number of residents, buying new homes for their growing families and moving further up the Crumlin Road. While Protestant residents, moved out of North Belfast to the suburbs surrounding the city.

These changes resulted in the creation of a new residents group in Ardoyne to deal with ongoing Loyal Order parades through the area. The Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group (APDG) began organising and expressing the community's opposition to sectarian marches. Talks between the APDG and the North/West Belfast Pardes Forum that consist of Loyal Order, Loyalist and Community Representatives. In spite of these discussions, marches continued to take place, huge Policing Operations and ensuing riots refocused peoples desire to end unwelcome parades. The APDG has since been replaced by two new groups, Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) and the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC). While the two represent residents opinions, they have differing tactics as to how best to end sectarian marches.

Little has changed since 2001, the Stormont Government, RUC/PSNI, Parades Commission and local Politicians refuse to confront the Loyal Orders and Loyalist Gangs. Unwelcome parades are still permitted to march through Ardoyne, Loyalist Supporters are allowed to block the Upper Crumlin and Woodvale Roads unhindered. With every march, huge military-style operations are conducted by the RUC/PSNI to facilitate them. Residents from Ardoyne have clearly expressed their opposition to these abuses of their human rights but are blatantly ignored by the Authorities. Local residents who have taken to the streets peacefully to demonstrate the community's rights have been arrested, charged, sentenced by the Courts and some even imprisoned. If the past few weeks are anything to go by, 2013 will again produce of ample evidence of the collective failure of the Six County State to end Loyalist violence, protests and unwelcome marches in North Belfast.