Grave vandals '˜pure scum' says relative

A Derry woman whose family headstone was attacked by vandals this week has described those responsible as 'pure scum'.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said the learned about the news of the attack through social-media.

Police believe the attack occurred in the City Cemetery sometime between the evening of Tuesday May 31 and the morning of Wednesday June 1.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I don’t know what type of person would do something like this - as far as I am concerned they are pure scum,” the woman told the ‘Journal’.

It is estimated that 20 headstones and memorials were damaged during the incident.

The damaged graves belonged to people from both the Catholic and Protestant faiths.

“A cemetery is supposed to be a place where you can go and pay your respects not a place where you can go and damage headstones - it’s just sick,” added the woman.

Sinn Fein Councillor, Kevin Campbell, condemned the attack.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

People are really running out of things to say in relation to the mounting catalogue of vandalism incidents of graves in the City Cemetery over the past year and that’s not including the burning of a car a few months ago.

“I would once again appeal for these senseless actions to stop and if anyone knows the culprits to contact the PSNI,” said Colr. Campbell.

SDLP Councillor, John Boyle, described the incident as “deplorable.”

PSNI Inspector Jennifer Hudson appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This will obviously cause distress to a number of families and the local community, therefore I would appeal to anyone with any information about this to contact Strand Road Police Station on the non-emergency number 101.”