Police investigate sectarian-motivated vandalism of memorial to victims of UDA
A memorial for victims of a UDA gun attack in Belfast has been vandalised for the second time in a number of weeks.
The plaque for victims of the Sean Graham Bookmakers attack on the Ormeau Road in 1992 was vandalised last month.
Five Catholics were killed in the loyalist gun attack and another seven people were injured.
Police are investigating what they have described as a “sectarian-motivated offence”.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “At around 4am this morning, a male on a bicycle spray-painted the memorial plaque, causing considerable damage.
“We are investigating a potential link between this incident and a report of criminal damage at the memorial in September this year.
“These incidents have understandably caused real hurt and distress to bereaved families and the wider local community.
“We are treating this matter very seriously and a robust investigation is under way.”
Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey condemned the attack as “heinous” and “utterly despicable”.
“The families and local community are rightly outraged,” she said.
“At a time when they are facing an application by the Apprentice Boys to march through the heart of their community, these repeated attacks on a memorial to their loved ones are deepening the hurt, anger and fear.
“Those who are fuelling tensions with inflammatory rhetoric need to take responsibility for the consequences of their words and actions.
“The hypocrisy is stark. While others talk about violence, it is the families of those murdered and nationalist communities who are being targeted, intimidated and made to suffer all over again.
“These families have endured more than enough. They deserve respect, not further hurt; dignity, not intimidation.”