Children's Commissoner warns young people getting caught up in violence 'could impact their future'
Northern Ireland's Children's Commissoner is warning young people that getting caught up in violence could have a devastating impact on their futures.
Responding for the first time to last week's disorder Chris Quinn described the behaviour of young people as "frightening". This comes as the Education Minister revealed on Monday that absence rates at schools closest to the disorder in Ballymena spiked following the violence in the town last week.
This follows disorder which started in Ballymena last Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend.
Two 14-year-old Romanian boys have been charged with attempted rape.
A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities.
The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Scores of people were arrested.
To date, over 30 arrests have been made by police investigating disorder in Northern Ireland, the age of those taking part as young as 12.
The Education Minister said it was alarming that some school children had been attacking homes of their peers during the disorder.
Paul Givan said 84 newcomer children at Harryville Primary School have not been attending, while attendance is at around 65% at St Patrick's College.
Speaking in Mr Givan said: "Over the past week we have been dealing with children who have been coming into school traumatized, showing all of the signs of trauma as a result of what has happened in our streets.
But alarmingly, we're also dealing with some children who engaged in the rioting and attacked some of the school, houses of the very children in their class."
In a statement St Patricks College said: "It would like to reassure all pupils and parents that the school will continue to be a safe place."
They added, "Staff will continue to work hard for the education and pastoral support for all young people."
UTV have contacted Harryville primary school for a response but they did not want to make a comment.Northern Ireland's Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn has condemned any young people taking part in violence and had this message: "I would urge children to stay away, we're entering into a summer period which can be challenging, and that has been the case here for a long time.
"I've seen for many years how children and young people get caught up on that so I would urge them to stay away."There's lots of misinformation out there at the minute."
He continued, "I would urge them to question that information and think about the sources of it, because I do believe they're getting coerced and manipulated and driven by misinformation and disinformation."
As the investigation continues into finding those responsible, the PSNI has once again urged young people to stay away from violence or risk ending up with a criminal record.
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