POLICE are treating an attack on the Ballygawley bus-bombing memorial in Co Tyrone as a sectarian hate crime.
The memorial on Curr Road, Omagh, was extensively damaged.
The vandalism was reported to police yesterday and is believed to have occurred overnight.
Police urged anyone with information to phone 101, quoting reference 357 02/10/20, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Eight soldiers were killed and 28 injured in August 1988 when the IRA detonated a huge roadside bomb.
First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the attack on the memorial as "sick" and urged people to help police "identify those responsible for this act of hate".
The DUP leader tweeted: "Northern Ireland would take a step forward if the person who thinks this is acceptable behaviour was brought before the courts and severely punished."
