Write a commentWreaths from Newry Cenotaph at the front of Newry Town Hall have been thrown in to the nearby Clanrye River.
The damage was noticed this morning (Saturday) as workers made their way to work.
Wreaths are strewn all over the mud banks of the tidal river including one remembering the Mallaghan brothers from Cloughenramer who joined the Dublin Fusiliers and died at Gallipoli as well as London Irish Fusiliers soldier John Cooper. Another from Newry Royal Black District Chapter No 4 lies alongside it in the mud.
Newry Cenotaph remembers local people who were killed in the First and Second World War's.
A poppy display that had been draped over the river wall last year was also thrown in to the river.
Every single wreath and poppy display was removed with the incident leaving every hook on the Cenotaph empty.
It follows an incident last weekend where wreaths remembering the 18 soldiers killed at Warrenpoint were damaged. Newry Cenotaph has been the target of other attacks in recent years including June 2017, May 2014 and June 2013.
Reaction
Responding to the incident Newry & Armagh MLA Conor Murphy said that there was no place for such attacks like this in our society.
“This criminal act at the Newry Cenotaph is wrong and I condemn it. There is no place for attacks like this in our society. Monuments and memorials are important places of commemoration and remembrance within communities and should be respected.
"Those involved in these criminal acts need to be apprehended and face the full rigours of the law. Anyone with information in relation to this criminal act should contact the PSNI."
Newry Councillor Michael Savage reacted by asking those responsible for desecrating the Cenotaph: “What did your actions achieve?”
Councillor Savage said: “This was a mindless act of vandalism that achieved nothing other than cause hurt to the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in two world wars.
“I am an Irishman who recognises that thousands of fellow Irishmen died fighting to protect our way of life. Many of them from our city and surrounding areas from all faiths.
“I believe in a New Ireland that respects all traditions on this island and I work towards creating that New Ireland. Those responsible for this terrible act of disrespect do nothing to help achieve that New Ireland. I would ask them what did their actions achieve and ask them to reflect on the hurt they are causing in their own community.”
