Commissioner Condemns Use of Children as Shields

The use of children as "shields to protect masked individuals" following a controversial dissident republican parade in Derry has been slammed as 'abhorrent' by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Chris Quinn. Police Response

Police came under attack following the Easter Monday parade, with a senior officer stating that there was no doubt the 'disorder involving young people was orchestrated'. Child Abuse Concerns

Quinn described the incident as a 'clear act of child abuse and child criminal exploitation', emphasizing the need to safeguard children from exploitation and coercion into violence. Urgent Action Needed

He called for investment in educational and community infrastructure and stressed the importance of not criminalizing children. Denouncing the use of children as shields as 'abhorrent' and 'disgraceful', Quinn highlighted the need to hold adults who exploit young people accountable.End of Exploitation

The Area Commander of Derry City & Strabane confirmed that young people were used as shields to distract from masked individuals during the parade, labeling this act as 'utterly shameful' and 'child criminal exploitation'.