03/08/2026
Hargey Decries Spate Of Vandalism At Local Memorials
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has condemned a series of attacks on three memorials in east Belfast in recent days and urged those involved to stop.
Deirdre Hargey said the incidents, which occurred over the last three days, targeted sites in the Short Strand and on the Lower Newtownards Road.
In a statement, the South Belfast MLA said: "I am deeply saddened at the vandalism of local memorials in the Short Strand and Lower Newtownards Road over recent days.
"The Republican memorial garden in the Short Strand was vandalised in the early hours of Wednesday morning with those responsible posting videos of the attack on social media.
"This was followed by a paint attack on a memorial on the Lower Newtownards Road.
"This morning I have learnt that a mural commemorating hunger striker Mickey Devine has been vandalised in the Short Strand.
"All of these incidents are equally reprehensible.
"'Places of remembrance should be sacrosanct, regardless of where they are and who they remember.
"We believe that this is a result of young people provoking each other over social media, with a total disregard for the hurt and pain this causes to local families and within communities.
"I would appeal to those all those young people involved to immediately desist from this reckless and childish behaviour."
Deirdre Hargey said the incidents, which occurred over the last three days, targeted sites in the Short Strand and on the Lower Newtownards Road.
In a statement, the South Belfast MLA said: "I am deeply saddened at the vandalism of local memorials in the Short Strand and Lower Newtownards Road over recent days.
"The Republican memorial garden in the Short Strand was vandalised in the early hours of Wednesday morning with those responsible posting videos of the attack on social media.
"This morning I have learnt that a mural commemorating hunger striker Mickey Devine has been vandalised in the Short Strand.
"All of these incidents are equally reprehensible.
"'Places of remembrance should be sacrosanct, regardless of where they are and who they remember.
"We believe that this is a result of young people provoking each other over social media, with a total disregard for the hurt and pain this causes to local families and within communities.
"I would appeal to those all those young people involved to immediately desist from this reckless and childish behaviour."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry and cloudy this morning, some patchy rain in the northwest. This afternoon will be cloudy with some light and patchy rain spreading southeast for a time. Maximum temperature 17 °C.Tonight:Clear periods across the north at first this evening. Otherwise a cloudy evening and night with outbreaks of rain spreading from the southwest. Light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.