Northern Ireland

Extra security measures for west Belfast cemetery after graves attacked

Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell
Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell

EXTRA security measures are to be installed at a west Belfast cemetery after a number of graves were attacked and vandalised.

A total of 12 Commonwealth War Graves in City Cemetery were targeted over the weekend.

Head stones were smashed during the attack and one was then placed on a fire.

A cross marking the final resting place of a baby girl was also damaged.

It is the second such act of vandalism on graves at the Falls Road cemetery in recent weeks.

Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell
Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell

Last month, a number of headstones at the top end of the cemetery were vandalised and kicked over.

Sinn Féin councillor Steven Corr said it was "hard to find the words to describe the scene" after "more graves were desecrated".

"Mainly attacked were Commonwealth War Graves," he said.

"These are fresh attacks as there is a log book kept in the cemetery and staff can tell when damage is reported.

"These were particularly bad attacks in that one of the Commonwealth War Grave headstones from 1942 was smashed and then placed on a fire. The tree will also have to be cut down today. Another cross marking the remains of a baby was also broken off".

Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell
Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell Detectives have appealed for information after a number of graves were attacked in the City Cemetery in Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell

Chief Inspector Christian Bradley said a "thorough investigation" had been launched.

"To damage any grave is appalling and I can assure the public that we will conduct a thorough investigation in a bid to bring those responsible before the courts but we need the community to help us," he said.