Northern Assembly to examine children's sporting deaths

Stormont ministers will make the issue of health screening for up-and-coming athletes a top priority following the deaths of four young people on both sides of the border, the Ian Paisley insisted today.

Following the sudden deaths of two young GAA players in Co Tyrone and two young people in Co Westmeath, the First Minister reassured MLAs the issue would be raised at this week's cabinet meeting.

The SDLP's Tommy Gallagher asked Mr Paisley during First Minister's Questions: "Is there any liaison between his office staff and other departments on the issue of health screening for young people participating in sport?

"We are all aware of the tragic deaths recently, particularly in Co Tyrone and elsewhere in Ireland within a matter of days.

"Would he tell us, since this has particular implications for the Departments of Health, Education and Culture, Arts and Leisure, if there has been liaison on the matter?"

Patrick Devlin, 13, died during a Saturday morning training session in Ardboe.

His death came four days after 10-year-old Patrick Breen died in similar circumstances in Drumquin.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has expressed concern at the deaths and called for more monitoring of young athletes.

Ulster GAA secretary Danny Murphy said it was vital the deaths did not impact on participation in sports which improved young people's health and also their social skills.

Mr Paisley said: "We are having, as he knows, a meeting of the executive this week.

"This is one of the matters that the executive will have before it."

Later the DUP's Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Edwin Poots expressed his condolences in the Assembly to the families of the two Co Tyrone boys.

Mr Poots said during Ministerial Questions it was his understanding defibrillators were available at both GAA clubs.

He told Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey: "I understand the Ulster secretary of the GAA Danny Murphy has raised the issue of, perhaps, having young people screened prior to participating in sport.

"That is something that would have to be looked at by the Department of Health. It is something that would have an additional cost but it may be deemed as being money well spent.

"It is not for my Department to decide but certainly it is something that is a big issue and it is something that has the power to touch communities right across Northern Ireland. It is a tragedy which we wish to avoid."

The Republic's Minister for Children Brendan Smith was evasive earlier today when asked if he supported calls for health screening for all young people taking part in sports.

Mr Smith made no mention of whether the Government would fund such a scheme.