Loyalists blamed for desecrating Belfast graves

Loyalists have been blamed for desecrating headstones in Belfast's largest cemetery last night.

Loyalists have been blamed for desecrating headstones in Belfast's largest cemetery last night.

The five graves at Carnmoney cemetery appear to have been targeted because they contained Celtic crosses, yet one of the graves attacked was Protestant.

Fr Dan Whyte, the local priest, says he believes loyalists desecrated headstones.

The graves were in a section of the cemetery near the Rathcoole estate, which is a UDA stronghold.

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The PSNI believe the vandals gained access to the cemetery through an area under development.

It is the third time in the past 18 months such an attack has taken place, and the PSNI have not ruled out a sectarian motive.

Police said they are considering additional security including the use of CCTV and extra patrols to help combat the vandalism.

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy is Digital Production Editor of The Irish Times