Local Ulster Unionist representatives, Danny Kennedy MLA and Cllr David Taylor, have condemned damage caused to a memorial in South Armagh to Hugh William Clarke, an innocent Protestant civilian murdered by the IRA in April 1977.
In a joint statement the local representatives described the attack on the memorial near Mullaghbawn, as "disgusting and hurtful in the extreme to the widow and family circle of William Clarke who was abducted and murdered in very cruel circumstances nearly forty years ago".
Danny Kennedy MLA said:
“This attack is entirely reprehensible and completely devoid of feeling after nearly forty years. Those responsible are the lowest of the low".
Cllr David Taylor said:
“The attack has caused great distress to the widow and members of the Clarke family, who have suffered in silence since 1977 and borne their grief and loss with enormous dignity. Those responsible are seriously sick individuals and I appeal to the local South Armagh community to ensure the memorial, when reinstated, is respected in the future.”