Anger at attack on Our Lady Statue in Greencastle

by Gráinne Connolly

A religious statue of Our Lady was desecrated in Greencastle at the weekend in attack where paint was poured over the statues head and the word 'whore' was painted on the front. 

It's believed the statue that's currently situated opposite the proposed Dalradian site, was targeted by vandals on Saturday night. 

It's believed vandals targeted the statue on Saturday night. 

The attack has caused widespread anger among residents, which was particularly clear on social media after a local community group posted an image on facebook. 

The Greencastle Community voices expressed how residents were "furious"; in a post which received comments from over 2,000 people condemning the act. 

A spokesperson for the group said: 

"Residents are understandably furious about the condition of the statue that was the main focal point of recent prayer services and parades.

"Perhaps the most vile aspect of the attack was the word “whore” crudely painted in large red letters on the statue, with red paint also being poured over the head of Our Lady.

"It is unbelievable in today’s society where religious tolerance is such a vital element in a shared future that this level of hatred is still present in a sick minority of people.

"We have no idea who was responsible."

It's also been condemned by local MLA's, inlcuding SDLP West Tyrone's Daniel McCrossan who has branded the attack as "a shameful, despicable and cowardly act of complete ignorance and bigotry."

He went on to say, "the complete idiot(s) running around entertaining themselves attacking and destroying holy statues need to get a life and find some other way of fulfilling their pitiful lives.

"If anyone has any information, please come forward to the PSNI. We must stamp out this hatred and educate those idiots who don’t seem to grasp the concept of respect or decency."