Killyleagh church hall target of graffiti attack

Killyleagh church hall target of graffiti attack

1 February 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

A CHURCH hall was one of six buildings sprayed with graffiti in Killyleagh during the early hours of yesterday morning.

The town’s library, several business premises, including an off licence, and two homes were also targeted as vandals ran amok, spraying slogans including “PSNI scum” and “PSNI Out.”

The attack on Killyleagh Baptist Church Hall in Frederick Street has caused particular outrage.

The minister of the church, Pastor William Creighton, said: “This is a building used for the people of the town and what has happened is going to lower the tone of this general area.

“I cannot see anyone benefiting from what’s happened to the hall and other buildings in Killyleagh.

“Our functionality in Killyleagh is to bring good news of the Gospel and to show people a better way. I would be happy if the people responsible for what happened would be prepared to talk to us to try and help them change their ways.”

The vandals responsible for defacing a number of buildings during their frenzied activity have been condemned by local councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews, with both men appealing to anyone who knows anything about the incidents to contact police immediately.

Councillor Walker said people in Killyleagh will be “outraged” at what happened and hopes the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“No one wants to see this kind of thing in the town. Killyleagh has had its fair share of recent problems and the people who sprayed buildings with graffiti were so brave that they committed their crime under the cover of darkness.

“This behaviour must stop. It’s clear mindless people are responsible. The fact church property was among the various buildings targeted is very disappointing indeed,” he said.

Councillor Walker said if police could apprehend who was responsible it was important the courts send out a strong signal that such behaviour is not acceptable and won’t be tolerated.

Councillor Andrews said the decent people of Killyleagh will be “deeply concerned” at what happened and revealed he can’t understand the mentality of those who engage in such behaviour.

“What happened was ridiculous and people are at a loss to understand why there are those who set out to cause damage and paint a negative image of Killyleagh,” he declared.

“The overwhelming majority of people in Killyleagh will be disgusted by what happened. This type of thing simply must stop and it’s very upsetting that vandals sprayed graffiti over a church hall.”

Councillor Andrews added: “Those responsible for what happened early on Tuesday morning are in a tiny minority. They have absolutely no support in a town which proudly boasts excellent community relations and I hope the culprits will be caught.”

Yesterday’s incidents come after two recent arson attacks in Killyleagh. Last November,Second Killyleagh Presbyterian Church manse was gutted in a malicious blaze, while a pub in High Street was targeted shortly before Christmas.