PSNI investigate desecration of memorial

Police in the North are investigating the vandalism of a memorial in east Belfast to two men shot dead by the IRA in 1970.

Green paint was thrown over the memorial to James McCurrie and Robert Neill on the edge of the

nationalist Short Strand area, while wreaths laid at the scene were also desecrated.

Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland described the vandalism as “outrageous and sinister” and said it had caused great distress to the victims’ families.

Sinn Féin councillor Joe O’Donnell also condemned the attack.