Damage caused at Ballycastle War Memorial
The community of Ballycastle have come together to condemn damage caused at a War Memorial in the town in the early hours of Sunday morning, August 4.
Photos of the scene were shared on social media showing plants torn out of planters and strewn across the ground, while a rail was broken and wreath removed from the memorial itself.
A member of the local community commented, “Why would anyone do this? Not what we want in our town.” Other local residents described the incident as “shameful” and “disappointing”.
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston expressed his disgust at the “desecration” of the War Memorial. He said:
“I am appalled by the desecration of Ballycastle War Memorial. Poppy wreaths laid just a few weeks ago in memory of those who died at the Somme have been destroyed. Flowers which have been planted in pots around the memorial have been ripped out and strewn around the area.
“I have contacted the council to ask that action is taken immediately to clean up the mess and have challenged the PSNI to check CCTV footage in the area to see if the attack has been captured on camera.
“This disgusting incident not only shows disrespect to the war dead but will raise community tensions at a volatile time.
“Over the past month I’ve been in Ballycastle assisting a number of constituents from across the divide and I want to stress that this behaviour certainly isn’t reflective of the beautiful town or its people.
“I would appeal to those who will rightly be outraged by this to leave dealing with the matter to the PSNI and for anyone with information to come forward to the police.”
Meanwhile, the PSNI have asked anyone with information to contact them:
“Police are investigating after damage was caused to a war memorial on Quay Road in Ballycastle. Planters were emptied, a rail broken and a wreath removed from the memorial early on the morning of Sunday 4 August.
“Anyone with information regarding this crime can contact police on 101, quoting reference 660 04/08/24.”