‘Respect’ agenda of republicans questioned after Falklands memorial destroyed

The handmade model of a Falklands war landing craft was removed from the war memorial in Stewartstown and burned in the early hours of Monday morning.

The tribute had been placed on the site last month to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the conflict that claimed the lives of 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentinian troops.

Mid Ulster Council had supported the project and the council’s chair Councillor Paul McClean was present when the tribute was placed at the war memorial.

Cllr McClean said: “I am extremely disappointed that this has happened, and that people could not show restraint and leave a commemoration such as this alone.

“Especially when people put so much effort and work into it. This needs to be condemned by all political parties, and political representatives.”

Speaking to the News Letter, he said: “If true, genuine respect is to be offered then those involved need to be brought to task and made to replace what has been destroyed.”

Mid Ulster DUP MLA Keith Buchanan has condemned the incident as “sectarian” and a disgusting desecration”.

He said: “This was a disgusting desecration of the floral landing craft tribute to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War.

“Attacks such as this show the disrespect some within our community have towards those who gave their lives in defence of the freedom of others.

“The people that commit these crimes are full of hate and I will be pressing the police to investigate this incident as a hate crime.”

Mr Buchanan said the attack was “motivated by nothing more than bigotry” and added: “I would hope those responsible for this can be identified and brought to justice and I would encourage anyone with any information regarding the attack to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers on 0900 555 111.”

Cookstown Ulster Unionist councillor Trevor Wilson said the attack made a mockery of republican calls for ‘respect’.

In a statement, he said: “A floral tribute in the shape of a landing craft had been placed at the war memorial in Stewartstown to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.

“It was offending no-one and nor was it intended to. Nonetheless, its presence proved too much for some thugs who decided to destroy it in an act of wanton vandalism.

“Even by the shocking standards of hate crime in Northern Ireland this is a new low. There is absolutely no sign of mutual respect, tolerance or understanding on display here. Mere words are insufficient to condemn the people responsible for this act.”

Gareth Miller of Coalisland Royal British Legion said the incident was a shock as the RBL enjoys good community relations in Stewartstown and the wider area.

“It doesn’t reflect the people of Stewartstown and Coalisland as people.... would be very supportive of us. It is just an awful shock to be honest,” he said.

“I don’t think it can be replaced. I just think it is a shame. We hope it doesn’t harm community relations and... we won’t let it damage community relations from our end, and we will continue to do the charity work that we have be doing.”

Police say they received a report of theft in The Square area of Stewartstown shortly after 1.05am on the morning of May 9.

Sergeant McCann said: “It was reported that a model replica landing craft was removed from the area. Police are treating this incident as a hate crime and enquiries are continuing.

“We are appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 74 of 09/05/22.”

Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous.