Damage at new war memorial in town ‘accidental incident’

Damage at new war memorial in town ‘accidental incident’

17 July 2019

OFFICIALS behind a cross-community campaign to erect a new war memorial in Ballynahinch hope that damage caused to the structure last week was not deliberate.

Damage to two granite steps at the Main Street cenotaph was discovered early last Friday morning with the mudflap of a car discovered lying on the ground.

While there was speculation locally that someone had driven a car at the memorial, those who worked hard to deliver the new structure are hoping that the damage was the result of an accident.

A spokesperson for the Ballynahinch War Memorial Restoration Committee said it was believed that a car was responsible for the minor damage.

“Clearly whoever was responsible for this incident will have damaged their car and a mudflap will be missing. The steps that are damaged are close to where disabled access has been provided to the memorial. It could be that someone has reversed into the structure.

“The damage may have been deliberate but I do not believe that for a minute. There are all sorts of suggestions about what happened but I honestly think that someone who parked at the memorial may have reversed into it. I don’t believe what happened was deliberate and would hate to think that this is the case,” said the spokesperson.

“Whoever was responsible must know that they did it. The steps have been hit so hard that pieces of granite have been chipped off. The memorial is fine, the only damage caused was to two steps.”

The spokesperson also appealed to anyone with information about what happened to come forward, given the huge community effort and the cost of delivering the new memorial.

“People put in so much hard work into what was a real cross-community effort to deliver this. That is something we in Ballynahinch very much pride ourselves on.”

Rowallane councillor Billy Walker also hopes that the damage was not caused deliberately. 

He said it would be “disgusting” to think that a tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during two world wars could be targeted in such a way.

And he has appealed to anyone with information about who may have been involved in the incident to inform police.

“I am not aware of any of the district’s war memorials being targeted in the past,” said Cllr Walker. “These memorials are erected in memory of those, from both sides of the community, who died defending our freedom. 

“People will be upset if this was memorial was deliberately targeted which those who helped deliver it do not believe to be the case. The mentality of those who would engage in such mindless behaviour is unfathomable.”

The Rowallane politician said war memorials erected to remember those who gave their lives deserve respect.

Police investigating last week’s incident have appealed to anyone who can assist them with their enquiries to come forward using the non-emergency 101 number. Information can also be provided anonymously using the Crimestoppers number, 0800 555111.