No fewer than 19 Commonwealth war graves wrecked in ‘disgusting and mindless’ spree in west Belfast

The cemetery is off the republican-dominated Falls Road in west Belfast, and has been the site of similar vandalism in the past.

The PSNI said in a statement tonight in the name of inspector Andrew McConville: “We believe the 19 gravestones were damaged sometime between 7pm on Monday 10 August and 1pm on Tuesday 11 August.

“Damage to any grave is absolutely despicable. A graveyard is a place where people come to pay their respects.

“This behaviour and the destruction of graves will have a significant impact on individuals, families and communities.

“We have launched an investigation but need help from the community to bring those responsible before the courts.

“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the City Cemetery from Monday evening through to 1pm on Tuesday, or if you have information that could assist our investigation, please contact us on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 829 11/08/20.

“You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

Dara Barrett, a 50-year-old west Belfast man who voluntarily runs tours of the city cemetery, said vandalism has been a recurring problem.

He has previously spoken out against the “despicable” vandalism of Jewish graves.

He said around a quarter of a million graves are spread over 100 acres, adding that vandals have targeted “Protestant graves, Catholic graves, babies’ graves” and that the attacks are “a microcosm of everything bad about our society” which has a “ripple effect” on the wider community.

“What we’re trying to do is plant a seed in kids’ heads, upend the sterotypes about the orange and the green, dispel urban myths,” he said.

But a “small minority” continue causing problems, he said, adding that people should “name and shame” those responsible.

Meanwhile, Alliance west Belfast representative Donnamarie Higgins (who stood unsuccessfully in the Collin district in 2019) said it amounted to “an attack on the entire community”.

She said: “The graveyard has 296 burials from World War I and 274 from World War II.

“This is an utterly senseless act of vandalism and a disgusting attack, not only on those with loved ones buried in the cemetery but the entire community.

” she said.

“It is deeply saddening anyone would stoop so low as to attack any graves, never mind those who served in the world wars, and there is no place for that mindless behaviour in our society.”

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