DUP Meet Children's Commissioner Over Easter Parades

The DUP continue to raise issue with images which emerged over the weekend showing children engaged in republican parades or dressed in "paramilitary garb".

A party delegation from north Belfast has met with the Children’s Commissioner Patricia Lewsley-Mooney to discuss what the DUP is terming "the exploitation of children" in north Belfast over the Easter weekend.

The delegation was led by MP Nigel Dodds and also attended by MLAs Nelson McCausland and William Humphrey.

Speaking today Mr Dodds said: "Over the Easter weekend there were different incidents where children were either exploited or put at risk by republicans. In one case, children were dressed in paramilitary garb and used to promote and glorify terrorism, whilst at another parade there were children nearby when a dissident republican gunman fired shots in a 'show of strength'.

"We had a very positive and useful meeting with the Children’s Commissioner about the issue and pressed her about the action her office can take. Whilst the Children’s Commissioner does not have a direct investigative role we understand that the office has already spoken to the PSNI about the incident. There are other agencies however which also have a role to play, including Social Services, the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland and the Parades Commission. We urged the Commissioner to follow-up with these agencies the concerns over exploitation of children which emerged at these events."

Mr Dodds added: "Children should never be put at risk, and to have witnessed some very young primary school aged children being used to glorify terrorism obviously raises concerns. We are reassured however that the Children’s Commissioner is taking the matter seriously and we also asked to be kept informed of future developments in the case so that we can ensure it is pursued until a proper conclusion is reached."

(IT/CD)