Menu
11/07/2014
Male Bailed Over Church Vandalism
A male who was arrested by detectives investigating an attack on the interior of a Catholic church in Kilkeel, County Down, has been released on bail, police have said.
The attack saw crosses, statues, pews and windows damaged at the Our Lady of the Angels oratory on Greencastle Street.
Parish priest Father Michael Murray's car was parked nearby and was also damaged. It has been reported that the vehicle's windows were smashed with bricks.
However, police have said there was no sectarian motive behind the attack.
Speaking shortly after the male's arrest yesterday evening, SDLP MLA for South Down Seán Rogers said: "There were initial fears expressed that the vandalism might have been sectarian but now it is evident that this is not the case.
"I have spent considerable time with the family of the young man this evening. They are incredibly distressed by what has occurred and I am appealing for privacy for the family at this very difficult time for them so they can deal with this terrible situation.
"This attack on the church has obviously caused significant distress for Fr. Michael Murray and concern for local parishioners and I understand fully the impact that this upsetting incident will have had. However, I am hopeful that the matter can be brought to a conclusion quickly and effectively and dealt with in a calm way."
Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane said: "There has been widespread condemnation from all sections of the local community of this act of wanton vandalism carried out in the church last night. "Councillor Sean Doran and I have also raised the attack with the PSNI. The police are now of the view that the attack was not sectarian in character."
Councillor Doran said: "There have been expressions of support for the parishioners of Our Lady of the Angels from right across the local community in Kilkeel. While this act of vandalism has hurt many in the parish I welcome the solidarity shown by local people from all denominations."
(IT/MH)
The attack saw crosses, statues, pews and windows damaged at the Our Lady of the Angels oratory on Greencastle Street.
Parish priest Father Michael Murray's car was parked nearby and was also damaged. It has been reported that the vehicle's windows were smashed with bricks.
However, police have said there was no sectarian motive behind the attack.
Speaking shortly after the male's arrest yesterday evening, SDLP MLA for South Down Seán Rogers said: "There were initial fears expressed that the vandalism might have been sectarian but now it is evident that this is not the case.
"I have spent considerable time with the family of the young man this evening. They are incredibly distressed by what has occurred and I am appealing for privacy for the family at this very difficult time for them so they can deal with this terrible situation.
"This attack on the church has obviously caused significant distress for Fr. Michael Murray and concern for local parishioners and I understand fully the impact that this upsetting incident will have had. However, I am hopeful that the matter can be brought to a conclusion quickly and effectively and dealt with in a calm way."
Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane said: "There has been widespread condemnation from all sections of the local community of this act of wanton vandalism carried out in the church last night. "Councillor Sean Doran and I have also raised the attack with the PSNI. The police are now of the view that the attack was not sectarian in character."
Councillor Doran said: "There have been expressions of support for the parishioners of Our Lady of the Angels from right across the local community in Kilkeel. While this act of vandalism has hurt many in the parish I welcome the solidarity shown by local people from all denominations."
(IT/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 July 2014
Attack On Church Is A 'Hate Crime'
An attack on a Catholic church in Co Tyrone is being treated as a hate crime, police have confirmed. Sometime overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, graffiti was painted on St Patrick's Church on the Killyman Road, Dungannon. Enquiries into the attack are continuing. SDLP Councillor Denise Mullen has condemned the attack.
Attack On Church Is A 'Hate Crime'
An attack on a Catholic church in Co Tyrone is being treated as a hate crime, police have confirmed. Sometime overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, graffiti was painted on St Patrick's Church on the Killyman Road, Dungannon. Enquiries into the attack are continuing. SDLP Councillor Denise Mullen has condemned the attack.
21 June 2016
Church, Nursing Home And Houses Targeted In Sectarian Attack
Sectarian graffiti and paramilitary slogans have been daubed on the walls of a church, nursing home and houses in west Belfast. St Columba's Church and the Cairnmartin facility in the Ballygomartin Road area were sprayed with slogans in the early hours of Monday morning, 20 June. Police are treating the attack as a sectarian hate crime.
Church, Nursing Home And Houses Targeted In Sectarian Attack
Sectarian graffiti and paramilitary slogans have been daubed on the walls of a church, nursing home and houses in west Belfast. St Columba's Church and the Cairnmartin facility in the Ballygomartin Road area were sprayed with slogans in the early hours of Monday morning, 20 June. Police are treating the attack as a sectarian hate crime.
31 January 2013
House Damaged In Petrol Bomb attack
A house in Larne has been damaged in a petrol bomb attack, according to police. It happened on Church Way at around 10.30pm on Wednesday. A man was in the house at the time but was unhurt. Minor damage was caused to the property and a window was smashed. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
House Damaged In Petrol Bomb attack
A house in Larne has been damaged in a petrol bomb attack, according to police. It happened on Church Way at around 10.30pm on Wednesday. A man was in the house at the time but was unhurt. Minor damage was caused to the property and a window was smashed. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
05 July 2005
Sectarian motive behind school mini-bus attack
Two primary school mini-buses have been set alight in Co Down at the weekend. Details of the incident, which were released late on Monday, revealed how one vehicle was badly damaged in the blaze with a second suffering from scorch damage at the school on the Millisle Road in Donaghadee.
Sectarian motive behind school mini-bus attack
Two primary school mini-buses have been set alight in Co Down at the weekend. Details of the incident, which were released late on Monday, revealed how one vehicle was badly damaged in the blaze with a second suffering from scorch damage at the school on the Millisle Road in Donaghadee.
11 March 2002
School campus closes following vandalism attack
A school in County Down has had to close one of its campuses for the day following a vandalism incident. The Castle campus at Bangor Academy closed on Monday March 11 after windows were smashed and furniture destroyed in 14 temporary classrooms. The canteen and an office were also damaged. The incident happened at about 8pm on Sunday March 10.
School campus closes following vandalism attack
A school in County Down has had to close one of its campuses for the day following a vandalism incident. The Castle campus at Bangor Academy closed on Monday March 11 after windows were smashed and furniture destroyed in 14 temporary classrooms. The canteen and an office were also damaged. The incident happened at about 8pm on Sunday March 10.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
