THE mother of a Catholic teenager shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries has called on the Royal British Legion to speak out about Remembrance Sunday events organised by paramilitary-linked groups.
Marian Walsh spoke out after a series of remembrance events were held across the north yesterday.
Her comments came as UUP leader Doug Beattie criticised events linked to paramilitary groups.
While many annual commemorations are officially organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL), which also runs the annual poppy appeal, others are connected to loyalist paramilitary groups.
Ms Walsh's son Damien (17) was shot dead by the UDA/UFF in west Belfast in 1993.
A report by Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson last year found there evidence of "collusive behaviours" by RUC officers.
Ms Walsh, whose grandfather survived World War One and great uncle died at the battle of the Somme in 1916, said that while people "have the right to remember their dead she disagrees with "the glorification of war".
She believes white poppys should be available for those who want them.
"I am saying that in the context of somebody who had relatives who died at the Battle of the Somme...I fully understand people's feelings about remembering their relatives, I think it's very important," she said.
"I think maybe they (RBL) need to come out and say that it isn't acceptable to do that."
"They should come out afterwards and say 'these people don't represent any of us and we would prefer it if they didn't do this'."
Ms Walsh added that others in positions of influence should speak out.
"These people in prominent positions need to come out and tell the truth of the matter, that these loyalist paramilitaries aren't acceptable and nobody wants them, their own people don't even want them."
Earlier UUP leader Doug Beattie slammed paramilitary organisations who take part in commemorations to remember British Army war dead.
Mr Beattie, a former British soldier, who served in several conflict zones including Afghanistan, voiced concerns on Twitter in response to reports that members of the South East Antrim faction of the UDA had organised an illegal parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the UFF.
He wrote: "Abusing the UK national day of remembrance, by terrorists and their supporters, is absolutely disgusting.
"Everyone has a right to remember their dead but not at the expense of victims or those who gave their lives fighting fascism and terrorism. #NotInMyName."
Asked if it had any response or comment to make on reports that loyalist paramilitary linked groups were holding Remembrance Sunday events a spokesman for the DUP said: “There should be no place in our society for any paramilitary organisation.
"In Remembrance Sunday our focus should be on those who served in our armed forces and particularly on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our freedom.”
The Royal British Legion was contacted.
