Police have been urged to investigate after graffiti was scrawled across the Tandragee War Memorial, sparking anger and condemnation from in the community.
Independent Unionist councillor Paul Berry said he was alerted to the vandalism by a local veteran on Friday afternoon.
“I utterly condemn this graffiti on the War Memorial,” he said.
“When a member of the veterans reported it to me, I immediately contacted our council team, who acted swiftly to get a contractor in place to remove it.
“Locally, people are disgusted and raging at this vandalism of the memorial. If anyone has information, please report it to the PSNI or to myself directly.”
TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe also condemned what he described as a “disgraceful and callous” act, particularly in the run-up to Remembrance events.
“I am disgusted that someone has taken it upon themselves to scrawl over the War Memorial in Tandragee,” he said. “This is particularly callous as we approach Remembrance Day.
“This should not need to be said, but the sacrifice of the servicemen and women from our community, and the commemoration of their service, sit above politics and public discourse. Those who gave their all deserve our greatest respect, and their memorial should never be vandalised to convey political messages.”
Cllr Ratcliffe added that the incident had been reported to the relevant authorities and said he trusted the memorial would be restored quickly.
“This disgraceful act has been reported, and I trust the memorial will be fully cleaned and repaired as soon as possible,” he said. “Those who feel our freedoms or way of life are under threat should engage in the political process to affect real change — that’s what I am in the business of doing.”
