'˜Repulsive' attack on Larne War Memorial

Paint was thrown during an overnight attack on the monument near St Cedma’s Church, which commemorates those who died in the two world wars.

The attack comes just a day after an Easter Rising memorial in Carnlough was removed by Mid and East Antrim Council, after it had been erected without the approval of the local authority.

DUP Alderman Gregg McKeen branded the attack in Larne as “senseless and appalling”, adding that those responsible should be “ashamed” of their actions.

“With this coming so soon after the removal of the Easter Rising monument, people will inevitably draw the conclusion that the two incidents are connected,” he added.

DUP East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons inspected the vandalism in Larne this morning and told the Times: “I am horrified by what has happened, as we are not used to this sort of thing in Larne. This memorial is for people from both sides of the community, and there can be no justification for this contemptible attack.

“The fact that it has taken place so close to the centenary of the Battle of the Somme makes it even more contemptible.

“I sincerely hope the PSNI will be able to find out who was responsible, and I am glad that the clean up will take place as soon as police have finished gathering evidence.

“People will obviously think this was linked to the removal of the Easter Rising memorial in Carnlough. But this is a time for cool heads to prevail.”

Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan also condemned the attack on the war memorial in Larne and added: “On behalf of the nationalist and republican community I want to totally condemn attacks on any memorials.

“No matter what else has happened, this sort of thing is repulsive and cannot be justified. Two wrongs do not make a right.”