Coleraine war memorial vandalised in ‘act of malice' by ‘republican youths'
They said a 'small group of narrow minded individuals' were behind the incident which took place at the memorial garden in the Shuttle Hill area.
The memorial in the town commemorates those who served in the 36th Ulster Division during the First World War at Messines in June 1917.
Positioned by the Killowen Orange Lodge on their site, the monument also honours those from the 16th Irish Division of soldiers from Redmond's Nationalist Volunteers.
Killowen Orange Lodge also said the incident has been 'reported to the PSNI as a hate crime' and claimed it was an incident designed to 'raise tensions ahead of the Twelfth of July celebrations'.
Condemnation also came from the TUV's vice chairman and Causeway councillor Allister Kyle, who slammed the 'narrow-mindedness' from the vandals and urged those with information to come forward to the police.
'It is deeply disappointing to learn that a memorial stone, laid in honour of those young men from our shores who served in the 36th Ulster Division, has been stolen — an act of malice carried out by individuals styling themselves as 'Republican Youth',' Mr Allister said.
'This memorial was a modest tribute, placed respectfully by Killowen Lodge on its own private grounds. It posed no threat, no provocation, and no reason for offence.
'Basic decency would demand that respect be shown to those who paid the ultimate price — regardless of the political lens through which you view the past.
'I would urge anyone with information about this act of desecration to come forward, either to the PSNI or, if they feel more comfortable, to contact me directly in confidence. I will ensure the information is passed on.
'Those behind this disgraceful act may have enjoyed a momentary thrill by trying to wound a community's memory — but all they have truly done is expose their own narrow-mindedness.'
News Catch Up - Monday 23rd June
Mr Allister added: 'I have no doubt that the memorial will be restored. And when it is, it will stand all the taller — as a lasting reminder that some gave their all, while others can only lash out in petty vandalism.'
In a statement PSNI Inspector O'Brien, said: 'Officers received a report on Sunday 22nd June that a stone was taken from a memorial garden in the Shuttle Hill area.
'We are treating this report as a sectarian hate crime and we are appealing to anyone with any information, to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1408 of 22/06/25.'
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