Vandalism At The Narrow Water Bridge Memorial.
Following the Irish League soccer match between Warrenpoint and Cliftonville, Cliftonvale fans are alleged to have wrecked the Narrow Water memorial which was installed following the killing of 18 soldiers by the Provisional IRA on 27 August 1979. The South Down brigade was said to have attacked British paratroopers in a convoy at Narrow Water Castle, and followed up with another immediate attack on the response group by detonating a second bomb.
The first bomb was aimed at a British Army convoy and the second targeted the reinforcements sent to respond to the attack. IRA volunteers may have been hidden in woodland nearby and may allegedly have fired on the back-up troops. Altogether 18 paratroopers lost their lives in the two explosions. Over the years, the memorial has been attacked several times.
Ennis condemns vandalism of Narrow Water wreaths
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Sinead Ennis has condemned vandalism to wreaths at Narrow Water in Warrenpoint following the Irish League match on Saturday 15 September.
The South Down MLA said: “This is the second time in recent months that the wreaths at Narrow Water in Warrenpoint have been vandalised. There is no place for attacks like in our society and I condemn this act outright.
“Monuments and memorials are important places in communities and should be respected. I would encourage anyone with information on this incident to contact the PSNI on 101.”
Wells Says Monument Wreckers Should Be Collared By PSNI
DUP South Down MLA Jim Wells also voiced his condemnation at the desecration of the memorial. Mr Wells said: “The IFA must take immediate action against Cliftonville following the disgraceful conduct of their supporters today at Warrenpoint.
“A bus load of their fans stopped at Narrow Water and destroyed the memorial to the soldiers who were murdered in the 1979 Massacre. Their conduct was a disgrace to the Irish League and sport in general. Such naked hatred cannot be tolerated.
“This evening’s press statement from Cliftonville Football Club is totally inadequate. Those who carried out this hate crime at Narrow Water were seen leaving and returning tp a bus which held only Cliftonville supporters who were wearing the teams colours.
“They can’t excuse this sectarian attack by claiming that the supporteres were ‘not affiliated’ to the club. The PSNI must take strong action against those responsible.
“When th epolice eventually identify those Cliftonville supporters who vandalised the Narrow Water memorial today they must be banned from attending all matches at Solitude for a long period. No action was taken after the Margaret Thatcher mock coffin incident which appalled so many.
“Only if supporters are banned will the public believe that the club is genuine in rooting out the naked sectarianism that is so clearly evident amongst its supporters.
Bradley Condemns Damage To Narrow Water Memorial
SDLP MLA for South Down Sinead Bradley has also condemned the vandalism of a memorial for soldiers killed during the Troubles.
Ms Bradley commented: “It is good to see widespread condemnation of this act of pure sectarian hatred. This is an absolute affront on our peace process and such behaviour has no place in our society.
But it is disheartening that 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement, episodes of this remind us of how far we have to travel to end sectarianism in our society.
“I would ask anyone with information to contact the PSNI.”
PSNI Appeals For Information
A police spokesperson has also said the police are treating the incident as a hate crime and are encouraging witnesses to ring the non-emergency number at 101.
