Concern over children in paramilitary parades

Concerns have been raised over children participating in parades with paramilitary trappings, after young people took part in a republican march in west Belfast.

Sunday’s parade was to commemorate 18-year-old IRA member Patricia Black, who died in England in 1991 when a bomb she was carrying went off.

A number of children wearing berets and dark glasses took part in the parade on Sunday.

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, said she did not believe participating in such events was in a child’s best interests.

“It is the role of parents to make decisions for their children about how they participate in parades,” she said.

“It is my role to make sure that relevant authorities are doing their job in terms of protecting children and young people."

Ms Yiasouma added: “In the absence of an agreed narrative on our history and full consideration of how we educate our children on the conflict, this sort of activity will fill the void.

“I will be speaking to the relevant authorities, including the Parades Commission, to seek clarification that the right checks and balances are considered when children and young people may be involved in public demonstrations and events.”