Video: Remembrance service goes ahead despite attack on war memorial

The Armistice Day service of remembrance in Glengormley went ahead as normal on Tuesday morning - less than 48 hours after the town’s war memorial was defaced by vandals.
Billy Snoddy, chairman of Carnmoney/Glengormley Royal British Legion, Nigel Dodds MP and Newtownabbey Mayor, Alderman Thomas Hogg at the service of remembrance in Glengormley. INNT 46-201-AMBilly Snoddy, chairman of Carnmoney/Glengormley Royal British Legion, Nigel Dodds MP and Newtownabbey Mayor, Alderman Thomas Hogg at the service of remembrance in Glengormley. INNT 46-201-AM
Billy Snoddy, chairman of Carnmoney/Glengormley Royal British Legion, Nigel Dodds MP and Newtownabbey Mayor, Alderman Thomas Hogg at the service of remembrance in Glengormley. INNT 46-201-AM

Veterans, service personnel, clergy and political representatives were led by the Army Cadets as they made their way from Glengormley Methodist Church to Lilian Bland Community Park for the annual wreath laying ceremony, held in tribute to those who gave their lives in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.

Several members of the public also braved the cold, wet weather to take part in the service, which was led by Rev Neil Cutcliffe.

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The annual event, organised by the Carnmoney/Glengormley branch of the Royal British Legion, went ahead as usual, despite the sickening attack on the cenotaph.

Billy Snoddy, chairman of Carnmoney/Glengormley Royal British Legion, Nigel Dodds MP and Newtownabbey Mayor, Alderman Thomas Hogg at the service of remembrance in Glengormley. INNT 46-201-AMBilly Snoddy, chairman of Carnmoney/Glengormley Royal British Legion, Nigel Dodds MP and Newtownabbey Mayor, Alderman Thomas Hogg at the service of remembrance in Glengormley. INNT 46-201-AM
Billy Snoddy, chairman of Carnmoney/Glengormley Royal British Legion, Nigel Dodds MP and Newtownabbey Mayor, Alderman Thomas Hogg at the service of remembrance in Glengormley. INNT 46-201-AM

Paint was thrown over the war memorial sometime on Sunday night or the early hours of Monday morning. It was cleaned off on Monday afternoon by council staff and repairs were carried out by a stone mason.

The chairman of Carnmoney/Glengormley RBL, Mr Billy Snoddy, described the attack as “disappointing”.

“It is very sad that in this time of remembrance that people would stoop so low as to vandalise something that was erected to commemorate those who fought and died for our freedom,” he said.

Mr Snoddy, who read the ‘Ode of Remembrance’ during Tuesday’s service, appealed for attacks on the war memorial to stop.

• See more coverage in this week’s Times (on sale now)

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