In a joint statement, Ulster Unionist Party representatives, including the South Antrim MLA, Dr Steve Aiken OBE, and all Ulster Unionist Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors and candidates, have condemned an overnight sectarian attack on Sacred Heart Church in Ballyclare where sectarian graffiti was daubed on the walls of the Church.
They said:
“We are totally disgusted at what has happened at a place of worship. Desecration is a disgusting act at any time of the year but at Easter it is even more poignant.
“We are all really angry that people would target their catholic neighbours’ sacred place of worship in this despicable way. Our thoughts and prayers are with those parishioners who will feel deeply hurt at these actions and we assure them all, the bigoted thugs who did this do not represent the people of our great Borough.”
Signatories to statement:
Cllr Fraser Agnew
Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA
Cllr Jim Bingham
Cllr Mark Cosgrove
Cllr Robert Foster
Danny Kinahan
Cllr Michael Maguire
Cllr Stephen McCarthy
Cllr Vera McWilliam
Mayor - Cllr Paul Michael
Cllr Jim Montgomery
Norrie Ramsay
Cllr Mervyn Rea
Cllr Drew Ritchie
Leah Smyth
Cllr Roderick Swann
Gareth Thomas