Danny Kinahan, Ulster Unionist Party MLA for South Antrim, has condemned the painting of graffiti on the side of Greystone Road Presbyterian Church in Antrim. The graffiti expresses support for the IRA and the former suspect in the case of two off duty soldiers murdered outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim town in 2009.
Mr Kinahan said:
“The graffiti written on the side of Greystone Road Presbyterian Church is offensive on so many levels, and has caused outrage on all sides of the community.
“Any attack on a place of worship is an act of desecration, and on a day such as Remembrance Sunday, such a crime is particularly despicable. This on a day when, marking the centenary of the First World War, many of us have been reflecting on those who gave their lives for our freedom in theatres of conflict all over the world.
“To promote dissident republicanism or any type of squalid terrorism is quite repulsive. In addition to express support for someone so often linked to some of the nastiest of terrorist crimes in recent years is abhorrent.
“Everyone needs to condemn such acts, and I hope we will see universal condemnation from all politicians, churches and communities. We have already seen wonderful support from so many, not just condemning the graffiti but also offering help to clear it off.
“It paints our excellent Antrim town with a ghastly image. However we must remember that it is probably just one misguided hand. I hope the perpetrator is caught and made to face up to the consequences of this rather pathetic but deplorable crime.”