LISTEN: Narrow Water memorial vandalism treated as "hate crime"

By David Young, PA and Q Radio News

UPDATE: Police investigating vandalism at a memorial near Warrenpoint have confirmed they stopped and searched a bus near Lisburn.

Officers spoke to a number of those on-board a short-time after the wreaths and crosses at Narrow Water were targetted yesterday evening.

The PSNI says it's seized the vehicle and the investigation continues.

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The desecration of wreaths at the site of the IRA murder of 18 soldiers is being treated as a hate crime amid reports that football fans were to blame.

Poppy wreaths, crosses and written tributes were vandalised at Narrow Water, near Warrenpoint in Co Down where a British Army convoy was ambushed by two roadside bombs in 1979.

Cliftonville Football Club said it was aware of reports that some people returning from Saturday's fixture against Warrenpoint Town were responsible.

The club condemned the incident as "pathetic" and made clear that the perpetrators were not an official or affiliated supporters club.

Cliftonville Football Club have issued the following statement in relation to an incident that occurred at Narrow Water today: https://t.co/nPbnsu1zFK

— Cliftonville FC (@cliftonvillefc) September 15, 2018

A PSNI spokesman said: "The incident is being treated as a hate crime."

Speaking to Q Radio, Ulster Unionist representative Alan Lewis condemned those reponsible:

Sinn Fein Assembly member Sinead Ennis said: "This is the second time in recent months that the wreaths at Narrow Water in Warrenpoint have been vandalised."

DUP MLA, Jim Wells has told Q Radio the club must not tolerate the behaviour and he's called for action.