IPPN

Published: 22 March 2011

Children have appeared dressed up as republican paramilitaries and brandishing replica guns in a south Armagh community centre which has received hundreds of thousands of pounds in EU funds.

The children, some of primary school age, were photographed at the Ti Chulainn cultural centre in Mullaghbawn.

They were wearing balaclavas, combat jackets and trousers, dark glasses and berets, and brandishing replica weapons including AK47s and Armalites.

A complaint has been made to the Children’s Commissioner Patricia Lewsley. The PSNI will also be asked to investigate.

Despite several telephone calls and written questions submitted by the Belfast Telegraph, no-one from the Ti Chulainn centre would comment on the matter.

The photographs were posted on a social networking website by a Lurgan Sinn Fein member. It is understood they were taken at the centre six months ago. Appalled members of the public who saw the pictures contacted IRA victims’ group Fair and the TUV.

The Children’s Commissioner confirmed that Fair director Willie Frazer yesterday lodged a complaint with her office.

Mr Frazer said: “I was told the office’s legal department will investigate. I was also advised to report the matter to the PSNI.” Mr Frazer said that while the photographs insulted victims of IRA violence, they raised wider issues: “People bereaved or injured by terrorism are insulted by these photographs.