Nightly police patrols and CCTV for Newry cemetery after grave desecration
Following sustained attacks of vandalism carried out on graves at Newry’s Monk’s Hill Cemetery over the past number of weeks CCTV has been installed and local police will provide nightly patrols.
Some of the graves vandalised in Monkshill Graveyard recently. Photo: Paul Mathers
In the first instance of vandalism, which took place on the afternoon of Thursday 13th March, about 20 graves were desecrated with crosses pulled out of the ground, flowers and wreaths strewn on the ground and lanterns smashed.
A similar attack took place on Saturday 15th March, with the graves of four infants among those targeted.
Speaking to Newry Times, Sinn Féin councillor Valerie Harte, whose mother’s grave was among those targeted, said, “This has been a very traumatic time for all those families affected and indeed everyone with loved ones buried at Monk’s Hill Cemetery.
“In the aftermath of this senseless vandalism I have been in regular contact with the PSNI and I am pleased to say that precautionary CCTV has now been installed at the graveyard and the PSNI have given assurances that they will patrol the area nightly.
“The PSNI have stated that their investigation into this criminal vandalism is now complete.”
Harte added, “Members of the Neighbourhood Policing Team are planning to meet grave owners in the coming weeks to discuss these preventatory measures and I would encourage all those affected to attend this meeting.”
Anger at grave vandalism in Newry’s Monks Hill Cemetery
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=40493
Posted by Newry Times News
on Mar 24 2014. Filed under Community, News.
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