30/03/2004
Damage to east Belfast memorial condemned
Ulster Unionist MLA, Sir Reg Empey has hit out at vandals who defaced a memorial to two men who were murdered by the IRA in east Belfast during the 1970's.
The Newtownards Road memorial, to James McCurrie and Robert Neill who were shot dead during disturbances close to St Matthew's Church, had paint poured onto it on Monday night. Local residents claim foot prints from the paint led to the nearby nationalist Short Strand area.
Sir Reg said: I would urge the people of the area to remain calm following such a blatant act of provocation designed to raise tensions in the area as we approach Easter.
“Those who carried out this insensitive attack daubed the memorial with green paint and destroyed floral tributes to those who were murdered by the IRA on June 27, 1970.
“It is obvious where the culprits came from to carry out this attack as they left a trail of green footprints all the way back into Short Strand.”
Local Sinn Féin representative, Joe O'Donnell said: "If it materialises that people from the Short Strand were responsible, I know the people living here would be very disappointed.
"Those who are behind this attack should realise it is highly insensitive and wrong," he added.
(MB)
The Newtownards Road memorial, to James McCurrie and Robert Neill who were shot dead during disturbances close to St Matthew's Church, had paint poured onto it on Monday night. Local residents claim foot prints from the paint led to the nearby nationalist Short Strand area.
Sir Reg said: I would urge the people of the area to remain calm following such a blatant act of provocation designed to raise tensions in the area as we approach Easter.
“Those who carried out this insensitive attack daubed the memorial with green paint and destroyed floral tributes to those who were murdered by the IRA on June 27, 1970.
“It is obvious where the culprits came from to carry out this attack as they left a trail of green footprints all the way back into Short Strand.”
Local Sinn Féin representative, Joe O'Donnell said: "If it materialises that people from the Short Strand were responsible, I know the people living here would be very disappointed.
"Those who are behind this attack should realise it is highly insensitive and wrong," he added.
(MB)
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