Northern Ireland

Damage to Co Tyrone war memorial 'accidental'

The damaged war memorial in Coagh, Co Tyrone
The damaged war memorial in Coagh, Co Tyrone The damaged war memorial in Coagh, Co Tyrone

A WAR memorial in Co Tyrone was damaged accidentally and was not a hate crime as initially believed, police have said.

Police had thought the monument in Main Street was deliberately smashed on Tuesday night.

However, they have since said they are no longer treating it as a hate crime.

Political representatives said the damage to the bottom part of the memorial was caused accidentally.

UUP councillor Trevor Wilson said a motorist had forgotten to put on his handbrake and that his car had run down the hill and collided with the monument.

In a tweet, MLA Keith Buchanan said the damage was accidental and that repair work was already under way.