Third of a series of interviews with Interomm staff.
Gerard O'Reilly - North Belfast Interface Manager
Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 9:15AM
Recent history post Good Friday Agreement
Unionist hesitant, DUP had non-negotiation policy "no camp"
Tried to break IRA cease fire
People bombed, burned out of houses, glass bombs, shooting
2001 - Talks started, understanding among senior people at this had to stop
Pressure on politicians to bring agreement from outside, Blare and US wanted peace in NI as victory for them
2001 - 90% of violence coming from loyalist side
Strategy
Short -
Medium - Our reach to those who have pos effect on peace possess
Long term - stable peace
Now again
Want communities, then country to unite
Used to be Fire Fighting, responding to situations 24/7/365 at any of the Flash points in the city
Now Today
Adults are not in the violence, it is 8-16 year olds
Deal with differently, adults are responsible for theirs actions, children can get caught up in it
This generation knows nothing but violence
Rep go to grass roots more than dub, big step recently to work w/ SF
Peace Walls
NIO (Northern Ireland Office), Police, everyone jointly decide if a fence goes up
Conflict continues in Water Works park, kids think they are not bothering anyone
Not many kids are doing getting involved in this violence, it is a small percentage
Bonfire moved from interface to heart of protestant area, Tigers Bay
Steps of Ground level work
Identify self
Process of identifying child if there repeatedly
Try to contact parents
Try to get some schools involved, mixed response, some believe after 4PM police and parents responsibility
Ground workers on both sides, work together
How it fits together
Intercomm offers training and experiences to community, open door to dialogue
It comes down to community
Schools
Children who will not achieve academically will be left behind
Then have low self esteem, problems at home, other problems come from that
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