“Once again the ignorant and uneducated fools have attacked a memorial to our brave.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating after paint was thrown over a Somme commemoration mural on Avenue Road in Lurgan, County Armagh.
Referring to the incident as a “hate crime”, the PSNI is appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.
The alarm was raised at approximately 11.20am on Monday morning, with the vandalisation believed to have taken place on Sunday evening.
In a statement on Facebook, Avenue Road Somme Society condemned the event.
“Once again the ignorant and uneducated fools have attacked a memorial to our brave,” the statement began.
“This mural is historical and educational and great words spoken by both sides of the community is something that we hold highly.
“Paint washes off and we will continue to educate our town of the True Heroes Of Ulster.”
The mural commemorates those who gave their lives in the months-long Battle of the Somme during World War I in 1916.
Upper Bann DUP MLA Carla Lockhart also condemned the attack.
“It is especially disgusting in the run up to the commemoration of those who so bravely gave their lives at the Somme, British and Irish,” she said.
“We will continue to remember their sacrifice.”
Image via Avenue Road Somme Society
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
