A group girls from Holy Cross primary school have been given the red carpet treatment during a visit to Dublin today.
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Around 20 children met the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, at the top of the Old Jameson Distillery tower. They arrived in Dublin this morning, after a flight from Belfast in treacherous weather.
Some of the children are still traumatised by a pipe bomb attack and continual abuse from loyalists on their school run in the Ardoyne in north Belfast.
The chairman of the school governors, Father Aidan Troy, said the visit was part of the healing process for the children.
"It is a great thing for them after being through so much," he said. "I think it is good that the children see that there are adults who are so caring and so loving."
"They have seen the other side of humanity, unfortunately, and now they are seeing a very positive side," he said.
Mr Ahern said the trip would show support for the youngsters from the people of the Republic, just weeks after a Co Galway hotelier threw open his doors to welcome the children in as his guests.
"These are normal children and they have a programme of fun and entertainment, showing that people care for them," Mr Ahern said.
"Everyone watched the events at the Holy Cross. People in Ireland understand the conflict and the strife, but people cannot understand when it involves schoolchildren - that is not part of the equation.