Paramilitary punishment attacks on over 500 children ‘must be examined’

Paramilitary punishment attacks on more than 500 children — including 250 by republicans — should be included in a proposed North-South commission of investigation into child sexual abuse by IRA members.

Queens University academic Liam Kennedy also said the hierarchy of Sinn Féin — including Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness — “absolutely” knew about the attacks.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is expected to push the issue at a special Dáil debate tomorrow on issues raised by the Belfast woman, Maíria Cahill, who said she was raped at age 16 and subjected to an IRA interrogation.