Co Fermanagh: church attack branded "sectarian hate crime'

Police said today (Sunday) they were treating an attack on a church in Co Fermanagh as a "sectarian motivated hate crime."

A room inside the church in the High Street area of Newtownbutler was ransacked, with graffiti sprayed on walls and paint thrown around windows outside the building.

In addition fire extinguishers were set off and tables and chairs knocked over in the incident yesterday afternoon.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Shortly after 3.15pm, it was reported that paint had been thrown on the outside walls and windows of one part of the building, and graffiti scrawled inside a room.

“The room was also completely ransacked, with fire extinguishers having been set off, tables and chairs knocked over, and a number of items smashed on the floor.

“Enquiries are this morning ongoing in order to establish the circumstances of the incident, which we are treating as a sectarian motivated hate crime, and we would appeal to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area, or have any information which might assist us, to get in touch.

“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 853 of 04/04/26.

"A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org "

Erne East Councillor Victor Warrington condemned the incident “vile, cowardly and utterly disgraceful.”