'˜IRA dolls' made by Scotswoman '˜crass in the extreme'

A Scottish woman who makes '˜IRA dolls' has said she is proud of her creations and will continue to make them, despite widespread condemnation.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Apr 2017, 16:56 BST

Updated 9th May 2017, 18:30 BST

Mariea Hughes, from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, said she makes the dolls in honour of the Cumann na mBan, an Irish republican women’s group.

Scottish newspaper The Sunday Post reported that a child stumbled upon the dolls online when she was looking for a Barbie.

One photo of the dolls is captioned: “Three wee Provo girls ready to leave and head to their new homes”.

Mariea Hughes, who charges £100 per doll, told the Sunday Post: “I’m not sorry about it.”

Victims campaigner Kenny Donaldson told the News Letter: “This latest showing of terrorism idolatry is crass in the extreme.

“The Provisional IRA were not an army, they were and are a terrorist organisation who are more akin to the traits of Mafia-esque gangsters.”

He added: “There is a look of menace within the ‘dolls’ which conveys a very dark and disturbing message.”