Concerns after child dressed as gunman for World Book Day posted on Social Media

Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent, Irish News, March 8th, 2025

CONCERNS have been raised after an image was circulated on social media showing a young child dressed as a masked loyalist gunman.

The picture, which emerged in recent days, carries the heading ‘World Book Day 2025’.

The child, dressed in black, wearing a balaclava and holding what appears to be a replica gun, is pictured in front of a Union flag mural in the loyalist Monrush area of Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

In the past other images in the area included tributes to the UVF. A flag mural similar to the one the child is pictured in front of is located beside a playground in the loyalist estate.

Earlier this week many schools across the north took part in World Book Day during which children are encouraged to dress up as literary characters.

The child at the centre of the controversial image appears to be holding a book which may have a Troubles theme.

Yesterday Alliance education spokeswoman Michelle Guy MLA said: “This behaviour is shocking and unacceptable but more than that, it’s really sad to see a young child dressed like this for World Book Day.

“World Book Day is an opportunity for children to celebrate their love of reading and imagination, it’s therefore so inappropriate to exploit an innocent young child to make light of terrorism which is what has happened in this case.

“There is no place for this in any society, especially when we should be encouraging reconciliation and peace while teaching our children these important values. What we should not be doing is urging children to engage in such appalling behaviour that endorses division and violence.”

‘A profound and lasting impact on children’

The commissioner for children and young people, Chris Quinn, said:

“The legacy of the past can have a profound and lasting impact on children, shaping their emotional development, social relationships, and future opportunities.

“We must safeguard children, and take effective measures to protect them from the ongoing effects of past conflicts and to promote a society that fosters reconciliation and understanding.

“It’s important that the child is not victimised, that their best interests are put first, and they are protected and supported at this time.

“I have concerns about publishing pictures of this nature. My view is that greater consideration on how children and young people are portrayed in the media and online is of paramount importance.”

Concerns have been raised about the social media image.

Memorials row deepens split in the East Belfast UVF

Ciaran Barnes, Sunday Life, March 9th, 2025

A WAR of words has broken out between rival East Belfast UVF factions over the maintenance of the terror group's murals and memorial gardens.

A group styling itself as the East Belfast Memorial Committee (EBMC) told loyalists that “no one outside the memorial committee has authority to do anything to the murals or gardens without our consultation or permission”.

The warning was contained in a statement issued last Friday which also instructed anyone wishing to hold an event at an East Belfast UVF mural or garden to seek its permission.

The EBMC is linked to the new East Belfast UVF leadership, which was installed in November 2023 and has the support of leading loyalist Raymond Morton.

The change came after eight prominent East Belfast UVF figures, including reported former leader Stephen 'Mackers' Matthews, were 'stood down' by the organisation's overall Shankill 'brigade staff'.

This followed five years of PSNI raids targeting East Belfast UVF criminality and the convictions of more than 30 people for peddling its drugs.

Although a new leadership has taken control of terror gang, the vast majority of its members remain supportive of the Matthews' faction.

According to informed sources, Matthews can count on the backing of more than 300 men, while the new leadership has around just 30.

This was borne out at recent UVF parades in east Belfast organised by the separate sides, including last year's Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

After the EBMC statement taking ownership of UVF murals and memorial gardens appeared online, supporters of Matthews took to social media to defy its orders.

John Keenan, whose father Buster Keenan is commemorated on a UVF mural in the Sydenham area which is at the centre of the row, wrote: “Looks to me like this committee is another faceless group set up to apply for money at other good people's expense. So they can whistle Dixie.”

Wayne Black added: “No one is going to tell me I can't go and clean and maintain a garden memorial and mural that my father's name is on.

“I've done it for years and no one is going to take that away from me.”

The East Belfast ACT Initiative, which is also supportive of deposed loyalist Stephen Matthews, questioned the make-up of the EBMC and accused it of disrespect and exploitation.

Divisions

A spokesperson for the Bloomfield Memorial Garden, which maintains a UVF mural and garden, said: “The claims this group has made about having authority over the memorial garden are entirely untrue.”

Loyalists sources told Sunday Life the memorial row highlighted the bitter divisions that still exist in the East Belfast UVF almost 18 months on from the leadership change.

“The organisation is split, and this row over murals and memorial gardens really shows these divisions,” said an insider.

“The new leadership can issue as many orders as it likes, but the reality is that they will be ignored.

“The new fella in charge (of the East Belfast UVF) is leader in name only. Outside his small group of 30 men, no one takes heed of him.”

Security sources estimate that the East Belfast UVF to have an overall membership of around 1,500 men.

However, the vast majority are either inactive or retired.