War Memorial Attacked In North Belfast

A European Great War Memorial has been attacked in north Belfast.

The incident happened in the Woodvale area overnight.

Republican slogans were sprayed over the memorial to soldiers who died in World War One and the Peace Tree was also daubed and kicked over.

It is the third time the memorial has been attacked in the last three weeks.

North Belfast MLA William Humphrey condemned the attack and described it as a "hate crime".

He said: "Only in the last few days we have been marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, and next month we will commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. There is a growing recognition of the shared sacrifice across during the First World War.

"The attack on this memorial is a hate crime, motivated by nothing short of blind bigotry.  The memorial has been subjected to repeated attacks over recent weeks in what is clearly a concerted campaign. Those who attacked the memorial are obviously ignorant of the fact that it is totally inclusive, given that it remembers German soldiers.

This memorial was put in place through the hard work of the Army Benevolent Fund and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the ABF to ensure the memorial is restored and will continue to stand as a fitting memorial to those who died in the Great War."

Ulster Unionist Councillor David Browne said he was "horrified and disgusted" by the latest attack.

He said: "There is something badly wrong with anyone who would seek to desecrate a War Memorial in such a manner. Anyone who has the slightest idea about history knows that tens of thousands of men from right across the island of Ireland enlisted to fight in the First World War, from every community, village, town and city.

"Whether they were Unionists or Nationalists, members of Carson’s Army or Redmond’s Irish Volunteers, their service and sacrifice was the same and should be remembered by us all. Clearly those responsible for these attacks have no clue about Irish, British or European history and their ignorance is manifested in these attacks on a memorial to the millions who lost their lives in the Great War."

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly called for the sectarian vandalism to stop immediately.

He said: "The graffiti was utterly distasteful.

"This week has seen a number of attacks against memorials including the republican plot in Milltown cemetery.

"All these acts of mindless and sectarian vandalism need to stop immediately."

(CD)