NI Conservatives’ spokesman, Trevor Ringland, has condemned the latest outbursts of violence at loyalist flag protests and appealed to parents to prevent children becoming embroiled in trouble.
“We saw another appalling series of incidents last night”, Trevor said. “Widespread disruption for traders and motorists, attacks on police and journalists and even the storming of council premises in Carrickfergus. These incidents are outrageous and completely counterproductive.”
“One of the most worrying aspects of the disorder on our streets is that young people are being used as foot soldiers and it seems paramilitary thugs are loitering in the shadows. It really is incumbent upon parents to make sure they know where their kids are and prevent them from taking to the streets. For the paramilitaries’ part, you really have to wonder whether they have any conscience at all, allowing children to do their dirty work.”
“Whether it is the naming of a play-park in Newry after a terrorist, the incident with the YCV band over the summer, teenagers marching with guns in Dungiven or children involved in rioting, we must work harder to make sure that we do not perpetuate the hatreds of the past in a new generation. We must be careful about the message we send to our young people. Parents have to take responsibility, our communities have to take responsibility and, if all else fails, the social services have to get involved.”