Investigation launched after paint thrown over Catholic church in ‘hate crime’

Police in Ballymena are investigating an attack on a Catholic church in Ahoghill.
By Gemma Murray
Published 18th May 2020, 13:06 BST
Updated 18th May 2020, 13:10 BST
Damage caused to the churchDamage caused to the church
Damage caused to the church

Paint was thrown over the door and front of St Mary’s chapel on Ballynafie Road on Saturday morning.

Sergeant Neil Hewat said: “We are treating this incident as a hate crime and I am appealing for anyone with information to please get in touch with us by calling 101, quoting reference 644 16/05/20.”

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TUV councillor Stewart McDonald said: “The attack on Ahoghill Roman Catholic Church is totally unacceptable.”

Paint damage caused to the windowPaint damage caused to the window
Paint damage caused to the window

UUP councillor William McNeilly hit out at those responsible.

“I have nothing but total, total condemnation for this,” he said.

“The community should have no time at all for the sort of people who would do this".

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Local Sinn Fein councillor Ian Friary said the incident had left parishioners very upset.

“This isn’t what we want to see in our community,” he said.

“We don’t need this sort of thing happening in our area.”