Paramilitaries ‘coerced young people with drug debts to riot for £80’

Some of the young people who took part in serious rioting close to a peace line off the Shankill Road in Belfast, in 2021 had been ordered to do so over drug debts

Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland have coerced young people with drug debts to take part in rioting, a committee of MPs has heard (Brian Lawless/PA)

Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland have coerced young people with drug debts to take part in rioting, a Westminster committee has heard.

A community worker gave an example of a user’s debt being reduced by £80 for doing so.