Irish Republican News · August 20, 2004

Attack on republican graves

The Republican plot in a graveyard in Newry has been destroyed in an overnight attack.

Sledgehammers were used to smash gravestones and damage items placed on the graves in St Mary’s cemetery on the Warrenpoint Road. The large-scale attack could have taken hours to accomplish.

Sinn Féin’s Davy Hyland has condemned the attack, saying local republicans will not be intimidated by such incidents.

“Local Republicans are outraged at this attack on the graves of our friends and comrades who have given their lives in the pursuit of Irish Freedom.

“At this stage we do not know who was responsible for this outrage but suspicions will obviously be focused on local unionists or local criminals.

“Whoever is responsible they need to get a clear message that Republicans in Newry will not be intimidated by actions like this. We will rebuild this plot as quickly as possible and once again have it restoredas a fitting tribute to the Republican dead. My thoughts today are of course with the families of those buried in the plot who have had to come here this morning and witness this disgraceful scene.”

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