Movement Statements
Statement on behalf of the Ard-Chomhairle on North Belfast Shooting
13 January 2004


The IRSP, having looked into the circumstances pertaining to the shooting of a 14 year old in North Belfast, wish to place on record its disapproval and condemnation of this action. We fully understand the pressures and circumstances leading up to the shooting. Despite the best efforts of both local community groups including CRJ and the local Roman Catholic Church the family were unwilling to either exercise control over the young boy or call a halt to the totality of his anti-social behaviour, which terrorised the local community.

However experience of such punishments over the years has indicated that they are counterproductive. We have been working to persuade people that there has to be alternative approaches to major anti- social and criminal activities in working class areas. We will redouble our efforts to move people away from the use of rough justice.

John Martin - Political Secretary, IRSP
Statement on behalf of the Ard-Chomhairle, Irish Republican Socialist Party

STATEMENTS ENDS


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