30 August 2001 Edition
Boy assaulted by loyalists in Newry
Fourteen-year-old Stephen Mathers, from Greenfield Park, Newry was viciously assaulted during a loyalist band parade in the town on Friday evening, 24 August.
Describing how he was attacked by two men taking part in the parade, Stephen said: ``They just ran at us. My friends got away but I was not so lucky. I curled up into a ball to protect myself but they still kicked away at me. At one stage when one of the flute bands saw what was happening, they dropped their flutes and came over to join in.''
Stephen's mother said she was horrified when she saw her son arriving home covered in blood and bruises.
Stephen's parents have said they will be contacting the Parades Commission to urge them to investigate this incident. They said: ``A young 14 year old boy, full of curiosity, stops for a moment to watch a band parade and is viciously attacked by loyalist thugs taking part in the parade. Questions have to be asked of the organisers. Where were the stewards? Will the flute band whose members broke ranks and joined in this attack be banned from any future parades?''
Sinn Féin councillor Charlie Casey, who visited the boy's home, said he was appalled to see his injuries. ``This was an unprovoked sectarian attack by loyalist bigots who demand year after year to march through the predominately nationalist town of Newry,'' he said. ``Their behaviour is nothing short of triumphalism and totally unacceptable to the local population. It is bad enough that residents of this area have to endure the disruption caused to their daily lives by these unwanted loyalist band parades without having to suffer physical attacks as well.''
Describing how he was attacked by two men taking part in the parade, Stephen said: ``They just ran at us. My friends got away but I was not so lucky. I curled up into a ball to protect myself but they still kicked away at me. At one stage when one of the flute bands saw what was happening, they dropped their flutes and came over to join in.''
Stephen's mother said she was horrified when she saw her son arriving home covered in blood and bruises.
Stephen's parents have said they will be contacting the Parades Commission to urge them to investigate this incident. They said: ``A young 14 year old boy, full of curiosity, stops for a moment to watch a band parade and is viciously attacked by loyalist thugs taking part in the parade. Questions have to be asked of the organisers. Where were the stewards? Will the flute band whose members broke ranks and joined in this attack be banned from any future parades?''
Sinn Féin councillor Charlie Casey, who visited the boy's home, said he was appalled to see his injuries. ``This was an unprovoked sectarian attack by loyalist bigots who demand year after year to march through the predominately nationalist town of Newry,'' he said. ``Their behaviour is nothing short of triumphalism and totally unacceptable to the local population. It is bad enough that residents of this area have to endure the disruption caused to their daily lives by these unwanted loyalist band parades without having to suffer physical attacks as well.''