Northern Ireland

Police appeal after Somme mural defaced in Lurgan

&nbsp;At around 11.20am on Monday morning, police received a report that paint had been thrown over the Somme commemoration mural in the Avenue Road area, with officers treating the incident as a hate crime. <br />Photo supplied by Avenue Road Somme Society /PA Wire&nbsp;
 At around 11.20am on Monday morning, police received a report that paint had been thrown over the Somme commemoration mural in the Avenue Road area, with officers treating the incident as a hate crime.
Photo supplied by Avenue Road Somme Socie
 At around 11.20am on Monday morning, police received a report that paint had been thrown over the Somme commemoration mural in the Avenue Road area, with officers treating the incident as a hate crime.
Photo supplied by Avenue Road Somme Society /PA Wire 

Police are appealing for witnesses after a mural dedicated to the Battle of the Somme was defaced in Lurgan.

At around 11.20am on Monday morning, police received a report that paint had been thrown over the Somme commemoration mural in the Avenue Road area, with officers treating the incident as a hate crime.

It is believed the damage was caused overnight.

The Avenue Road Somme Society, which maintains the mural, said: "Once again, the ignorant and uneducated fools have attacked a memorial to our brave.

"This mural is historical and educational, and great words spoken by both sides of the community is something that we hold highly.

"Anyone with any information on this attack, please don't be afraid to pass it on to the correct people."

PSNI Chief Inspector O'Connor said: "This incident is perceived as a hate crime and I am appealing for anyone with information to please get in touch with police by calling 101, quoting reference 902 10/06/19."