NATO crew members are "cooperating with local authorities" after damage was caused to the Lagan Weir footbridge in Belfast.
The £5.5 million bridge - a tourist attraction - was closed on Saturday after a dozen glass panels were smashed in the early hours of the morning.
Vandals were blamed for the damage, which is believed to have been either kicked or hammered with a blunt object.
The Department for Communities described it as "a senseless act of vandalism to a very popular attraction", saying "since the bridge opened almost three years ago, it has been used by many thousands of people, many of whom are tourists to the city".
However, international military alliance Nato yesterday confirmed that sailors from one of its ships have been questioned about the damage.
The minehunter ship, part of six-strong Standing Nato Mine Countermeasures Group visiting the city, had been moored yards from the footbridge.
A Nato military official told the Irish News: "We are aware of this incident and can confirm that crew members of one of the ships of the NATO standing group are cooperating with local authorities.
"Due to ongoing legal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment further."
