Andy Allen, the Ulster Unionist Party's North Belfast Spokesperson, has described the latest attack on the memorial to three murdered Scottish soldiers, located at Ligoniel on the outskirts of north Belfast, as ‘an absolute disgrace’.
The memorial was erected in 2009 to remember teenage brothers John and Joseph McCaig, and their 23-year-old colleague Dougald McCaughey. The three young soldiers were all off duty when they were murdered by the IRA on 10 March 1971 after being lured to the area.
Mr Allen said:
“I am disgusted to learn of another attack on the memorial stone to the three Scottish soldiers at White Brae on the Ligoniel Road in north Belfast.
“The memorial has now been attacked twenty one times. The latest attack took place in the early hours of this morning, when a coffee jar of brown paint was smashed over the face of the memorial stone. Quite clearly there are those out there who have no respect or decency. Three young Scottish soldiers were murdered and some people seem intent on inflicting further pain on their families. More needs to be done to bring those responsible for these cowardly and disgraceful attacks to justice.
“I will be seeking a meeting with the PSNI at the earliest opportunity, to discuss the continuing attacks on the memorial."