Child's memorial left desecrated

A plaque at the location where nine-year-old Leigh Coghlan tragically died 10 years ago after a road accident has been vandalised and ripped from the wall.

The memorial, on the Tullygally East Road looks to have been attacked with a hammer or stones and has been partially pried off the wall.

According to Leigh's father, John, this is the second time the plaque has had to be repaired after it was vandalised a number of years ago.

He said the family were considering putting a protective cover on the memorial to protect it from any more attacks.

"This is something that is just not done," said John. "It's just like vandalising a grave or a headstone, it is totally out of order."

Leigh was hit by a car on the Tullygally East Road in September 1999, just four months after his ninth birthday.

His father continued: "I remember my son in my own way - I have only visited the grave twice in ten years.

"The plaque was put up as a remembrance to our son and to where he died.

"This is just a plaque to remember my son on the spot where he died after being hit by car.

"We just want to be assured that this vandalism will not happen again and we do not have to fix it for a third time. It's something you should not have to do."

John said the family were considering offering a reward for information about the vandalism.

Police are appealing to anyone who has information in relation to this incident of criminal damage to contact them on 0845 600 8000. Information about crime can also be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.