Appearance of IRA graffiti close to Enniskillen bomb memorial ‘wholly despicable’

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine has condemned the act as “disgraceful”.

Ms Erskine posted a photograph of the graffiti to her Facebook page.

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine (centre) along with former leader Arlene Foster and current leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

thumbnail: Ms Erskine posted a photograph of the graffiti to her Facebook page.
thumbnail: DUP MLA Deborah Erskine (centre) along with former leader Arlene Foster and current leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

Liam Tunney

The scrawling of “IRA” on the wall close to the site of the Enniskillen bomb has been condemned by a Co Fermanagh MLA as “wholly despicable”.

Deborah Erskine MLA posted a photograph of the graffiti on the wall of the Clinton Centre in Enniskillen to her Facebook page on Sunday evening.

The centre is close to the site of the Enniskillen bomb memorial.

Eleven people – ten civilians and a police officer – were killed when the IRA exploded a bomb close to the town’s cenotaph during a Remembrance Sunday service on November 8 1987.

A twelfth victim – high school headteacher Ronnie Hill – died 13 years later aged 69 after spending the rest of his life in a coma.

63 people were also injured in the blast, which the IRA said was designed to target British soldiers parading to the memorial.

Ms Erskine said she had reported the graffiti to the police.

“It is completely disgraceful and does not represent this town or any right thinking person,” she said.

“This is a wholly despicable act. Those responsible should be utterly ashamed for trying to whip up public tensions.

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine (centre) along with former leader Arlene Foster and current leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

“The IRA was a terrorist organisation who killed and murdered scores of people. They do not deserve any public show of support.

“This is also criminal damage to a property. I have reported this incident to the Police and I hope those responsible are caught.

“No doubt this incident will upset Enniskillen Bomb families. This graffiti is very close to the memorial that Enniskillen Bomb families placed in remembrance of their loved ones.

“A few short weeks ago I joined with those families in a dignified remembrance event on November 8.

“The respect of those families is in sharp contrast to those that carried out this disgusting graffiti incident, in such a public way.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, UK Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher were among those who attended a service at the memorial in Enniskillen earlier this month.

“The annual remembrance event means a lot to the people of Enniskillen and surrounding area,” Mr Heaton-Harris said after the commemoration.

“The 1987 bombing was a horrific act, the pain of which is still felt 36 years on. Today, I was humbled by the incredible dignity of the victims’ families as they remember those lost on that fateful day.”

The PSNI have been approached for comment.

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