Sectarian graffiti daubed on church

Published Thursday, 17 June 2010

Vandals have daubed the doors of a Catholic church with sectarian graffiti and gloated at the death of Kevin McDaid, the parish priest has said.

A window was smashed and attempts made to set the listed building in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, alight with burning rags, Fr Gregory Cormican added.

The cleric said the congregation was saddened by the overnight attack at St Malachy's Church on Nursery Avenue.

"People here are very annoyed. It is not a good reflection of relations in Coleraine," he added.

Built in 1937, the neo-Romanesque church is a landmark in the area.

The priest said graffiti was sprayed at the front of the church which attacked the Pope and referred to Mr McDaid.

The Catholic community worker, aged 49, was attacked by loyalists after a row over republican flags in the Somerset area of Coleraine.

His friend Damian Fleming was badly injured.

Fr Cormican said: "This church has never been touched before and we don't want this happening here."

Meanwhile, police in Rasharkin, Co Antrim, are appealing for information following damage at a GAA club in the Dreen Road area.

Some time overnight between Wednesday and Thursday sectarian graffiti was sprayed over walls.

Sinn Fein Assembly member Daithi McKay said all sections of the community would condemn those responsible.

"We want to see all sectarian attacks on people and property here brought to a total and absolute end," he said.

"The overwhelming majority of unionists and nationalists living here abhor this behaviour and any other attempts to raise tensions here over the summer period."

Meanwhile, in Portstewart, Co Londonderry, police said there was criminal damage in the Mill Road area when sectarian graffiti was sprayed on the wall of a house.

Comments

5 Comments

Deaglan Bhreathnach in An Dun wrote (706 days ago):

In answer to the false and perpetuous allegations made against me by Ernest. Unlike some Ernest, and indeed unlike you, I condemn all acts of sectarianism and terror, those shootings you speak of are as deplorable as this Church desecration. (hoping you understand my level of vocabulary given your sense is equal to that of a primary 1 child!)

reaso in belfast wrote (707 days ago):

They where only out getting milk

Shindo in Belfast wrote (707 days ago):

I totally agree with every word you said Deaglan especially regarding the loud mouth Gregory Campbell comments.

big ernest in east antrim wrote (707 days ago):

deaglan , firstly it was an isolated incident which all rightful people will condemn , now lad , a man was shot by republicans in dunmurrayand one shot in north belfast this week alone , have you commented about that ? yeah exactly !! what gives you the right to judge others when you can be clearly seen atacking the unionist population on every sad comment you make to utv . i really wonder why utv air's your sectarian views .

Deaglan Bhreathnach in An Dun wrote (707 days ago):

where's Gregory Campbell? he can condemn the rights of innocent Catholics shot by the state, and I am sure he will remain silent on this issue! In FACT his sectarian comments of recent days and those of his counterparts likely stoked this act!