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Graffiti daubed on churches and war memorial in Lisburn Graffiti daubed on churches and war memorial in Lisburn
(about 2 hours later)
Two Catholic churches have been damaged in sectarian attacks on the outskirts of Lisburn, County Antrim. Two Catholic churches have been damaged in overnight sectarian attacks on the outskirts of Lisburn, County Antrim.
Graffiti was painted on St Peter's Church on the Rock Road, Stoneyford, in an overnight attack. Graffiti was painted on St Peter's Church on the Rock Road, Stoneyford and on St Joseph's Church on the Kilcorig Road in Glenavy.
In a second overnight attack, graffiti was daubed on St Joseph's Church on the Kilcorig Road in Glenavy. Police said the two attacks are linked and are being treated as hate crimes.
Police said the two incidents are linked and are being treated as hate crimes. It is believed the vandalism to both churches was in response to an attack on a war memorial in Stoneyford, which had paint thrown over it on Friday.
It is believed the vandalism to both churches was in response to an attack on a war memorial in Stoneyford, which had paint thrown over it on Friday morning. 'Backwards step'
Ulster Unionist councillor for the area, Robert Butler, condemned the attacks and said it was the second time the memorial had been attacked in three months. Both unionists and nationalist politicians have criticised those behind what appeared to be "tit-for-tat" incidents and said they would work to diffuse tensions in the area.
Ulster Unionist councillor for the area, Robert Butler, condemned the church graffiti and said it was the second time the memorial had been attacked over the last three months.
"We will work together to ensure that these attacks don't escalate, and that anybody involved will be brought to justice as quickly as possible," he said."We will work together to ensure that these attacks don't escalate, and that anybody involved will be brought to justice as quickly as possible," he said.
"I think there's a feeling of vulnerability, people want to know they're going to be supported by their representatives. What has begun is dialogue on the ground over the past few months, which we must ensure isn't lost.""I think there's a feeling of vulnerability, people want to know they're going to be supported by their representatives. What has begun is dialogue on the ground over the past few months, which we must ensure isn't lost."
SDLP councillor Pat Catney said the community was shocked by the recent spate of attacks.SDLP councillor Pat Catney said the community was shocked by the recent spate of attacks.
"This is a backwards step. I'm very disappointed, but with the work of level-headed people in the community we'll try to diffuse the situation," he said."This is a backwards step. I'm very disappointed, but with the work of level-headed people in the community we'll try to diffuse the situation," he said.
'Mindless acts'
"If anyone knows anything bring this to the police. These are just individuals following their own agenda who have nothing to offer at all, they're nothing but destructive. We need these people out of our community.""If anyone knows anything bring this to the police. These are just individuals following their own agenda who have nothing to offer at all, they're nothing but destructive. We need these people out of our community."
Alliance councillor Brian Dornan said: "Any attack on a place of worship is completely unacceptable. There can be no justification for these mindless acts of vandalism." Alliance councillor Brian Dornan said: "Any attack on a place of worship is completely unacceptable.
"There can be no justification for these mindless acts of vandalism."