DAMAGE to a Co Down memorial commemorating 18 soldiers killed in two IRA bomb blasts was repaired yesterday after it was allegedly desecrated by football fans.
Cliftonville Football Club have described the attack on the site at Narrow Water, near Warrenpoint as a "pathetic act" amid reports its fans were involved in the vandalism.
Poppy wreaths, crosses and written tributes were destroyed at the memorial, which commemorates 18 soldiers killed in two IRA bomb blasts where a British Army convoy was ambushed by two roadside bombs in August 1979.
Police said the "incident is being treated as a hate crime".
Cliftonville FC said it was aware of reports some people returning from Saturday's fixture against Warrenpoint Town were responsible.
Club chairman Gerard Lawlor said: "We live in a sad society where anyone would get a kick out of desecrating a memorial. If anyone connected with our club has any information about the incident then they should report it to the PSNI.
"This pathetic act isn't in my name nor that of Cliftonville Football Club."
The club said it understood those involved were not in an affiliated supporters group or supporters club and said the club would provide "its full cooperation in the investigation of this matter."
Local people involved in a group looking after the memorial visited the site yesterday and replaced wreaths and floral tributes destroyed in the attack.
"We were greeted with utter destruction - 16 poppy wreaths destroyed, along with recently placed floral tributes, a spokesperson said.
"We will reiterate - you can destroy this memorial as many times as you like, but we will continue to replace them, as the memory of these brave men who were so brutally murdered at the hands of bloodthirsty Irish Republican terrorists can, and will never be forgotten.
"I would encourage anyone with information on this cowardly attack to contact the PSNI."
DUP leader Arlene Foster described the attack as a "disgusting and twisted act of hatred".
"Those responsible need to be held accountable for their actions," she said.
"Desecrating a memorial runs against the natural instincts of humanity."
Ulster Unionist councillor David Taylor said it was a "deplorable" act.
"They have vandalised poppy wreaths and destroyed messages left in memory of those who were murdered at Narrow Water," he said.
Sinn Féin assembly member Sinead Ennis said: "There is no place for attacks like in our society and I condemn this act outright. Monuments and memorials are important places in communities and should be respected."
TUV leader Jim Allister said: "It will be a test of the community from which the culprits come as to what level of cooperation is afforded in identifying them to the police".
