14/06/2004

Joey Dunlop memorial plaque replaced

A memorial stone to Northern Ireland motorcycle legend Joey Dunlop has been re-installed in Ballymoney after being damaged by vandals last month.

Vandals using a sledgehammer smashed the memorial garden, which housed a granite plaque, into several pieces.

North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, the Rev Robert Coulter, described those behind the attack as "lowlife".

"Anyone who would stoop so low to deface a tribute to one of the greatest ever sportsmen Ulster has produced is a sad person with no morals," he said.

North Antrim SDLP assembly member Sean Farren added: "Joey Dunlop's memory is revered by people from all traditions and backgrounds in Ballymoney and the surrounding area.

"This mindless vandalism is simply disgraceful and diminishes us all."

Five-times world champion Joey Dunlop died in a racing accident in Estonia in 2000 and is best remembered for his dominance at the annual Isle of Man TT races.

The new Joey Dunlop Memorial Stone was re-instated at lunchtime on Monday.

(MB)

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