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10 Dec 2025
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10 Dec 2025
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Derry's City Cemetery.
Graves in Derry's City Cemetery have been damaged by vandals.
A number of grave were damaged in the overnight attack.
Derry City and Strabane District Council has confirmed that a serious incident of vandalism took place overnight in the Kildrum section of the City Cemetery.
Several graves have been vandalised, and wreaths and momentums removed and damaged.
A council spokesperson said: "While we are currently not aware of any damage to headstones, relatives who identify this on their family grave are asked to bring this to the attention to the cemetery staff.
"Council staff have been on site since early this morning carrying out a clean-up and repairs and providing support to families impacted by this very distressing and upsetting incident.
"Families affected are being advised to contact cemetery staff with any queries regarding missing or damaged items from graves as ongoing efforts are being made to store items so they can be identified and claimed by their owners.
"This is obviously a very distressing and upsetting incident for the families affected and its Council’s understanding that the PSNI have identified a suspect and are following a definitive line of enquiry. For that reason we can’t provide any further information at this time.
"The Council would encourage anyone with any information in relation to this incident to contact the PSNI directly.
"Council would also like to reassure the public that the peace and sanctity of the City Cemetery remains a priority for Council going forward."
"Inspector Mailey said: “We received a report shortly after 9am this morning, Saturday 27th April, that a number of graves had been damaged. It is believed the damage occurred sometime between 8pm yesterday, Friday 26th April, and 8am today.
“We have identified a male suspect and are following a definitive line of enquiry in relation to the incident.
“An investigation has commenced and we would encourage anyone with any information to call us on 101, quoting reference 398 of 27/04/24. You can also report online at https://www.psni.police.uk/report or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org/."
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy said reports that graves have been vandalised in the city cemetery is ‘sickening and disrespectful’.
The Foyle MLA said: “I am shocked and dismayed at reports of damage to graves in the City Cemetery this morning.
“I have received calls from grieving families who have arrived at the resting place of their loved one to see it damaged and vandalised.
“This is a sickening and vile attack and a disgraceful act carried out by people who clearly have absolutely no respect.
“Those responsible should stop now.
“I would urge anyone with information on these attacks to report it to the police.”
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