Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Emma Sheerin on 16 June 2026.

MLA: Ms Emma Sheerin
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 16 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5624620

Text

I thank the Member for taking an intervention. You have raised something particularly upsetting, given how recent it was. Obviously, it is all speculation because we do not know the ages of anybody who was involved in that incident. It was upsetting for the intended victims and for everybody who witnessed it. However, I contend that that is a perfect example of why we need the legislation, because that resulted from racism, and there is no child with racism in their heart. That is learned behaviour. That is coercion. There is no 13-year-old who hates other people whose lives they do not understand. Somebody has made them do that, and we need to protect those young people.

117 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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