Hunger striker's graves attacked by vandals
A plot containing the grave of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands has been damaged in an overnight attack by vandals in a west Belfast cemetery.
Sinn Féin confirmed today that 16 graves in the republican plot in Milltown Cemetery, which contains the graves of hunger strikers and three provisionals killed by the SAS in Gibraltar, were desecrated.
Headstones were smashed and flowers laid by the families were scattered around the recently refurbished memorial.
West Belfast councillor Michael Browne said relatives were “extremely distressed”.
He said: “This is not simply a republican memorial, it is the actual graves of many IRA volunteers and Sinn Féin activists killed over the past 30 years.
“The monument was recently refurbished through the voluntary work of Belfast republicans.
“Republicans throughout the city will be angered at this turn of events and I am sure they will rally to the aid of the National Graves Association as they seek to rebuild the monument.
“Those responsible for this attack are beyond contempt and they need to reflect long and hard upon their actions.”
The graves have been vandalised in the past.
In January 2000 more than 20 granite memorial plaques were damaged, some beyond repair.
