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Children's role in Belfast flag riots 'deeply worrying' Children's role in Belfast flag riots 'deeply worrying'
(10 days later)
Ten- and 11-year olds involved in the violent loyalist flag dispute are being put in serious physical danger, Northern Ireland's advocate for children's rights has warned.Ten- and 11-year olds involved in the violent loyalist flag dispute are being put in serious physical danger, Northern Ireland's advocate for children's rights has warned.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable, Matt Baggott, revealed on Monday that children as young as 10 and 11 were involved in attacking police lines at riots connected to the row over restrictions on flying the union flag at Belfast City Hall.The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable, Matt Baggott, revealed on Monday that children as young as 10 and 11 were involved in attacking police lines at riots connected to the row over restrictions on flying the union flag at Belfast City Hall.
In response, Northern Ireland's commissioner for children and young people, Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, said she was "deeply worried" over the role of children in the rioting.In response, Northern Ireland's commissioner for children and young people, Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, said she was "deeply worried" over the role of children in the rioting.
"I am concerned that children and young people are being exposed to serious risk and harm," she said. "To the irresponsible people who put children at risk, I say these issues cannot be settled or resolved by putting children at risk.""I am concerned that children and young people are being exposed to serious risk and harm," she said. "To the irresponsible people who put children at risk, I say these issues cannot be settled or resolved by putting children at risk."
Lewsley-Mooney said she was also concerned that children arrested in the riots could end up with criminal convictions that could affect the rest of their lives.Lewsley-Mooney said she was also concerned that children arrested in the riots could end up with criminal convictions that could affect the rest of their lives.
Earlier, Baggott condemned the way children as young as 10 were being allowed to take part in the riots. He said many were out on the streets "without parental control" and were at risk of "blighting their own future".Earlier, Baggott condemned the way children as young as 10 were being allowed to take part in the riots. He said many were out on the streets "without parental control" and were at risk of "blighting their own future".
The chief constable also confirmed that members of the Ulster Volunteer Force particularly in east Belfast were orchestrating much of the violence. The area experienced four consecutive days of rioting, with gunshots being directed at police lines on Saturday evening.The chief constable also confirmed that members of the Ulster Volunteer Force particularly in east Belfast were orchestrating much of the violence. The area experienced four consecutive days of rioting, with gunshots being directed at police lines on Saturday evening.
Former UVF prisoner and leader of the Progressive Unionist party, Billy Hutchinson, called on all loyalists to engage in peaceful protest only and desist from the violence that has led to 52 police officers being injured and almost 100 people arrested since early December.Former UVF prisoner and leader of the Progressive Unionist party, Billy Hutchinson, called on all loyalists to engage in peaceful protest only and desist from the violence that has led to 52 police officers being injured and almost 100 people arrested since early December.
A 38-year-old east Belfast man appeared in Belfast magistrates court on Monday charged with possessing a firearm at the weekend.A 38-year-old east Belfast man appeared in Belfast magistrates court on Monday charged with possessing a firearm at the weekend.
Thomas Finaly was charged by detectives from the PSNI's serious crime branch with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, riotous behaviour and failing to remove a disguise when requested by a constable.Thomas Finaly was charged by detectives from the PSNI's serious crime branch with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, riotous behaviour and failing to remove a disguise when requested by a constable.
Although a PSNI detective confirmed that the weapon recovered was a blank firing pistol, Finlay was remanded in custody to appear again via videolink next month.Although a PSNI detective confirmed that the weapon recovered was a blank firing pistol, Finlay was remanded in custody to appear again via videolink next month.
The PSNI faces a major security challenge on Monday night when loyalists gather outside Belfast City Hall ahead of the local council's January meeting.The PSNI faces a major security challenge on Monday night when loyalists gather outside Belfast City Hall ahead of the local council's January meeting.
In early December, councillors at Belfast City Hall backed a compromise motion from the centrist Alliance party that the union flag would only be flown in the council building on 17 designated days, the first of which is this Wednesday when it will be flown to mark the 31st birthday of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. Nationalist councillors had wanted the flag not to be flown on top of Belfast City Hall at all.In early December, councillors at Belfast City Hall backed a compromise motion from the centrist Alliance party that the union flag would only be flown in the council building on 17 designated days, the first of which is this Wednesday when it will be flown to mark the 31st birthday of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. Nationalist councillors had wanted the flag not to be flown on top of Belfast City Hall at all.
Following the vote to end the policy of flying the flag on 365 days per year, council staff were attacked and angry loyalists stormed into the City Hall.Following the vote to end the policy of flying the flag on 365 days per year, council staff were attacked and angry loyalists stormed into the City Hall.
Amid deepening tensions in the province, the National Union of Journalists has confirmed that a reporter in Belfast has been sent a bullet in the post along with a threatening letter. NUJ president Barry McCall described the threat as "the latest in a series of despicable attempts to intimidate journalists in Northern Ireland".Amid deepening tensions in the province, the National Union of Journalists has confirmed that a reporter in Belfast has been sent a bullet in the post along with a threatening letter. NUJ president Barry McCall described the threat as "the latest in a series of despicable attempts to intimidate journalists in Northern Ireland".
The threat to a reporter comes after an SDLP assembly member Patsy McGlone received a bullet and sympathy card in the post. McGlone said those behind the intimidation were "faceless fascists".The threat to a reporter comes after an SDLP assembly member Patsy McGlone received a bullet and sympathy card in the post. McGlone said those behind the intimidation were "faceless fascists".
Alliance MP Naomi Long, party leader David Ford, councillor Gerardine Mulvenna and Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly and Alex Maskey were among those sent bullets in the post in recent times.Alliance MP Naomi Long, party leader David Ford, councillor Gerardine Mulvenna and Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly and Alex Maskey were among those sent bullets in the post in recent times.
Ireland's deputy prime minister Eamon Gilmore called for an end to the violent protests. "These attacks over the past four days are not the mark of legitimate protest but are the actions of a small group who want to bring Northern Ireland back to a darker past," Gilmore said.Ireland's deputy prime minister Eamon Gilmore called for an end to the violent protests. "These attacks over the past four days are not the mark of legitimate protest but are the actions of a small group who want to bring Northern Ireland back to a darker past," Gilmore said.
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