Sectarian graffiti at church in Limavady branded ‘a disgrace’

The incident was reported at around 9.40am on Sunday. A spokesperson said: “Police are treating this incident as a hate crime. Enquiries are continuing and I would appeal to anyone with any information about this incident to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 31/01/21. A report can be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org”

DUP MP for the area Gregory Campbell said: “Daubing sectarian graffiti on any Church property is not just insulting but contributes to creating problems in local communities.”

He added: While there is no apparent localised reason or recent precedent for this incident, I fear it may be linked to wider political tensions that police had alluded to last week. Whether that is the case or not all public representatives have a duty to condemn any such behaviour, irrespective of where it occurs and against whom. The Government also has a duty to take appropriate steps to help de-escalate rising tensions whether connected to this or not.”

SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter meanwhile said: “The sectarian graffiti smeared on St Mary’s Chapel in Limavady is a disgrace. There is no place for this behaviour in our society, I strongly condemn these actions.

“I am calling on all leaders to step up and calm these tensions. I have spoken to the PSNI who are now treating this as a sectarian hate crime.

“If you have any information, please contact the PSNI on 101.”