Sectarian graffiti daubed on Catholic churches

A DISTRICT police commander in the North said yesterday he was disgusted by the daubing of sectarian slogans on two Catholic churches in his town.

The offensive graffiti was discovered in Banbridge, Co Down, before 9am at St Patrick’s Church on Dromore Street and at St Theresa’s Church on the Scarva Road.

Police believe both acts of vandalism took place during the early hours of the morning.

Superintendent Mervyn Waddell said he shared the sense of shock and outrage in Banbridge at the incidents and vowed to hunt down those responsible.

“Banbridge has enjoyed good community relations for years and we will not let a small minority ruin that,” he said.

“I am particularly disgusted by the offensive and crude nature of the graffiti at a place of worship.

“Those responsible have not only caused unnecessary upset to the local clergy and parishioners but have shown nothing but disrespect for their own community.”

Mr Waddell said he had appointed detectives to carry out house-to-house inquiries.

He also appealed for broad support in the community to isolate and identify those responsible.

“Anyone with information about this incident which may assist police with their inquiries, or who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in either of these two areas during the early hours of this morning, should contact CID in Banbridge station,” he said.

“I would further ask the community to support each other by simply being good neighbours. If you witness any suspicious behaviour, please contact police immediately.”

Sinn Féin councillor Dessie Ward urged Democratic Unionist MP David Simpson to help bring sectarian attacks in Banbridge to an end.

Mr Ward said: “It is no longer acceptable for unionist councillors to try and brush this sectarian campaign under the carpet.

“There is an onus and a duty on these same councillors, and of course, the newly elected MP for the constituency David Simpson, to show leadership and to speak out and unequivocally condemn these threats and attacks and, more importantly, to use their influence to bring them to an end.”