Poppy wreath set alight at town war memorial

Police in Omagh are treating the burning of a poppy wreath laid at the town's War Memorial as a sectarian hate crime. A number of youths are reported to have attempted to set the wreath alight. The incident has been condemned by a local representative from the Royal British Legion.

Shortly after eight thirty on Wednesday of last week, Police in Omagh received reports of a group of teenagers trying to set poppy wreaths alight.

The incident happened at Omagh's centoaph on the Dublin Road. Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that one of the memorial wreathes had been burned by the young assailants. 

"This is being treated as a sectarian hate crime and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or anyone who can provide information as to the identities of the youths involved, to contact police in Omagh on 101 quoting reference 1167 of 27th July," Chief Inspector Derek Scott said.

"Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111," he added.

At the beginning of last month, the people of Omagh came together to recognise the sacrifice of servicemen from across the district in a special service of remembrance marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme. 

The event saw representatives from all faiths join together in a symbolic laying of wreathes. 

Richard Scott MBE, who's charity MAPS (Military and Police Support) is based in the town, and who's also chair of the local branch of the Royal British Legion says last week's incident is an affront on the whole community.

He's described the incident as "sad" and "unsavoury". 

He believes last weeks perpetrators would do well by reading the message on the wreathes they tried to burn.

"If they'd taken the time to read the message that was on the wreath, it says 'in memory of those from the Omagh district who gave their lives in two World Wars', it doesn't say they were laying it in memory of one community or another - so it's a slap in the teeth to everybody in this district, Protestant or Catholic," he said.