Londonderry hate crime: DUP notes stolen poppy wreaths marking Battle of the Somme were in memory of fallen 'from all traditions in the city'

By Philip Bradfield
Published 5th Jul 2023, 12:55 BST
Updated 5th Jul 2023, 16:21 BST
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Wreaths stolen from Londonderry war memorial had been left in memory of soldiers “from all traditions in the city” who fell at the Battle of Somme, it has been pointed out.

Some 3,500 Irish soldiers from both sides of the community lost their lives fighting against Germany on the French battlefield of the Somme in 1916.

Police in Londonderry said they are treating the theft a sectarian hate crime.

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It comes only days before a joint ceremony in Dublin to commemorate those from across the island of Ireland who died in the Battle of the Somme and both World Wars, organised by the Royal British Legion and the Republic of Ireland’s Annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying.

The Sinn Féin Mayor of Derry and Strabane laying a wreath at the Diamond War Memorial on the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.The Sinn Féin Mayor of Derry and Strabane laying a wreath at the Diamond War Memorial on the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
The Sinn Féin Mayor of Derry and Strabane laying a wreath at the Diamond War Memorial on the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

The wreaths were taken from the Diamond War Memorial in Londonderry shortly before 2:30am today, Wednesday 5 July.

Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: “The names inscribed on the war memorial in Londonderry are from all traditions in the city. The wreaths laid there are in memory of all those who served regardless of their background.

“To steal or damage any wreath laid at such a memorial is an insult to all those who are commemorated on it. That those who engaged in this crime targeted only the poppy wreaths whilst leaving a laurel wreath untouched means they demonstrate not only their sectarian hatred, but their ignorance of what all those wreaths represent.”

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He added that this is a recurring problem and called for leadership in the city to spell out how unacceptable this is.

Representatives from many organisations laid wreaths at the Diamond in Londonderry in memory of those from across the community who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme.Representatives from many organisations laid wreaths at the Diamond in Londonderry in memory of those from across the community who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme.
Representatives from many organisations laid wreaths at the Diamond in Londonderry in memory of those from across the community who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme.

Police appealed to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or who knows where the wreaths were taken, to call 101 quoting 143 of 05/07/23.

Information can also be supplied www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org/

This Saturday 8 July will see dignitaries from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland take part in a commemoration service in Dublin marking the Battle of the Somme. The event remembers all those who lost their lives in the two World Wars - in particular, the estimated 60,000 Irish men and women from all parts of the island of Ireland who served and died in those conflicts.