Sands’ grave vandalised in plot desecration

THE headstone of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands was shattered by vandals who desecrated the republican plot in Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast, it emerged last night.

The graves of other Provisional IRA members and the parents of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams were also damaged beyond repair in the attack.

Sinn Féin councillor Michael Browne confirmed the gravestone containing the name of Sands and other IRA members who died during the 1981 hunger strike was "split in two".