Northern Ireland

Two churches daubed in anti-abortion graffiti

Anti-abortion graffiti daubed on the walls and doors of St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh City. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi.
Anti-abortion graffiti daubed on the walls and doors of St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh City. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi. Anti-abortion graffiti daubed on the walls and doors of St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh City. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi.

ANTI-ABORTION graffiti has been daubed on two Catholic churches within the space of 24 hours.

Part of the brickwork and doors of St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh were covered in pink writing while St Colmcille's in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, was also targeted.

The graffiti alludes to the Republic's forthcoming abortion referendum on Friday, May 25.

Some of the messages on the cathedral read 'Sin (sic) Fein Irish Baby Killers' and 'Save the 8th, Save Ireland', along with references to passages in the Bible.

Several messages were also daubed on the walls of St Colmcille's, including one which said ' Only DUP Speaks for Irish Unborn. To Speak Irish and Play GAA Vote DUP'.

Sinn Féin is in favour of repealing the 8th Amendment, which bans abortion, while the DUP take an anti-abortion stance.

Armagh Sinn Féin councillor Garath Keating described the damage to the cathedral as "mindless and absolutely barbaric".

He said, "There is plenty of opportunity and means to discuss this issue in a public forum and in a sensible fashion."

He added that the cathedral is an important part of the fabric of Armagh and a popular attraction for visitors.

Sinn Féin candidate in the West Tyrone by-election, Órfhlaith Begley, slammed the attack on Carrickmore Chapel as "sectarian".

She said: “First and foremost this is a sectarian hate crime and those responsible should be brought to book.

"I have visited Carrickmore Chapel this morning, I have spoken to Father O’Neill and parishioners and people are incensed by this blatant sectarian vandalism."

A PSNI spokesperson said police are investigating reports of criminal damage to both churches. They said the damage to the cathedral took place some time between 11pm on Sunday night and 8am on Monday morning.

The Carrickmore incident took place between 9.40pm on Monday and 8.05am yesterday.

A clean-up operation has begun at both churches.

Cleaning up the graffiti at Armagh Cathedral. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi.
Cleaning up the graffiti at Armagh Cathedral. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi. Cleaning up the graffiti at Armagh Cathedral. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi.
One of the wooden doors at Armagh Cathedral. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi.
One of the wooden doors at Armagh Cathedral. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi. One of the wooden doors at Armagh Cathedral. Pictures courtesy of Armaghi.