Vandals attack memorial to Joey Dunlop

A memorial to one of Northern Ireland’s best loved sportsmen was vandalised today.

Police said a granite plaque commemorating motorcycling legend Joey Dunlop in his hometown of Ballymoney, Co Antrim, was attacked between midnight and 8am.

A collection box for injured riders was also damaged.

Dunlop was a five times world champion and a road racing legend who had a record 26 victories in the Isle of Man TT.

He was killed in July 2000 during a road race in the Estonian capital Tallinn.

His heroics in road races around the world earned him the nickname King of the Road.

The attack occurred as fans gathered in the area for practice rounds for the North West 200, one of the highlights of the motorcycling calendar.

Democratic Unionist Assembly member and avid motorcycling fan Ian Paisley Junior said he was outraged by the attack.

“In a week when we celebrate Joey Dunlop’s achievements now more than ever and in a week where around 100,000 motorcycling fans will be coming to the area, this is absolutely disgusting.

“I am appalled that some small-minded pigmy could go out and vandalise this memorial and put Ballymoney’s name in the press for all the wrong reasons.

“The local council will move quickly to have this memorial repaired but I can tell you the people of Ballymoney and those involved in the sport will be gutted to see a memorial to a true hero damaged in this way by some idiot.”