Graffiti attack at church and care home slammed

St Columba’s Church and the Cairnmartin Court facility in the Ballygomartin Road area of north Belfast were daubed with ‘IRA’ and ‘KAHs’ (kill all huns).

The attack has been condemned by DUP Councillor Frank McCoubrey.

He said around 2am IRA slogans were daubed on a local church, a number of houses and on a nursing home catering for patients with Alzheimers.

Speaking from the scene this morning Councillor McCoubrey said: “This is a disgraceful sectarian attack which has damaged the local Church of Ireland, residents homes and sheltered accommodation.

“This is a settled area with long-term residents and there is no history of such attacks.

“It would appear to be an attempt by some people to ratchet up tensions ahead of the Whiterock parade and other upcoming parades.

“I have been in the area this morning and I know the PSNI have spoken to residents and are pursuing a line of inquiry. This disgraceful attack is to be condemned and I would hope there would be no tit-for-tat response which is what those who carried it out clearly want to see.

“I hope the Police can identify those responsible and bring them swiftly to justice.”