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16/02/2004
Paramilitaries blamed for high suicide rate
Republican paramilitaries are being blamed for an alleged rise in suicides among young people in north Belfast, a priest said today.
Father Aidan Troy, the priest widely recognised for his mediating role during the Holy Cross dispute, revealed that 13 people had committed suicide in nationalist/republican areas of north Belfast since the beginning of the year.
Father Troy said he believed there was a link between the deaths and "paramilitary beatings, punishments and threats" in the area.
His remarks followed the recent suicide of an 18-year-old male whose body was found in the grounds of Holy Cross Church in Ardoyne at the weekend.
The teenager's body was found just hours after the funeral had taken place of another teenager. It was later revealed that both teenagers had been best friends.
Father Troy said he believed the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) was playing a role in the deterioration of the mental health of young people in certain areas.
However, speaking on a radio program on Monday, a spokesperson for the political wing of the group said it was wrong to blame the INLA for the increase in suicides.
(MB)
Father Aidan Troy, the priest widely recognised for his mediating role during the Holy Cross dispute, revealed that 13 people had committed suicide in nationalist/republican areas of north Belfast since the beginning of the year.
Father Troy said he believed there was a link between the deaths and "paramilitary beatings, punishments and threats" in the area.
His remarks followed the recent suicide of an 18-year-old male whose body was found in the grounds of Holy Cross Church in Ardoyne at the weekend.
The teenager's body was found just hours after the funeral had taken place of another teenager. It was later revealed that both teenagers had been best friends.
Father Troy said he believed the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) was playing a role in the deterioration of the mental health of young people in certain areas.
However, speaking on a radio program on Monday, a spokesperson for the political wing of the group said it was wrong to blame the INLA for the increase in suicides.
(MB)
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