Memorial garden damaged as Belfast gangs clash

Rival gangs in Belfast confronted each other in a row which led to a memorial garden to six IRA victims being damaged by vandals.

Flower pots and hanging baskets at the Pitt’s Place garden on the upper Newtownards Road was damaged following a clash between groups from east Belfast.

The memorial commemorates those killed by the IRA in June 1970.

Men threw stones at each other at around 1.30am this morning and police were called to the scene. They were not aware of any injuries.

Stephen Gough, from the East Belfast Historical and Cultural Society, said the shrine had been established in 2003 and blamed nationalists for the damage.

“This garden has been treated with the utmost respect by residents in the area,” he said.

“This is the second time it has been attacked by people from the Short Strand. It is disappointing that this still continues to happen despite the fact that we are moving forward. All we can do is repair it again and move on.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly member Michael Copeland said he was disgusted.

“It is a complete and utter mess and is very disappointing to see this happening. They have kicked over the flower pots, kicked them to pieces.

“It’s a real kick in the teeth for those who organised the construction of the garden and dedicated themselves to maintaining it. This further compounds the sense of injustice felt by people at the time.”

Mr Copeland claimed that one person had been taken to hospital with a broken arm, although police had no reports of any injuries.

Mr Copeland said it was important that the perpetrators were made to face justice.