Cliftonville Football Club has said the destruction of poppy wreaths and tributes to mark the Narrow Water tragedy is ‘not in our name’.
The club has said those behind the attack, which police are treating a a ‘hate crime’, had no official affiliation with Cliftonville.
Photos surfaced yesterday on social media of desecrated poppy wreaths and users were quick to blame supporters returning from the Warrenpoint match.
Eighteen soldiers were killed and six were seriously injured, making the Narrow Water incident the deadliest attack on the army during the Troubles.
The 1979 tragedy came only hours after the Queen’s cousin, Lord Louis Mountbatten, was killed in an IRA bomb attack in Sligo.
This is not the first time the wreaths have been vandalised. In July, they were replaced after being destroyed in a ‘hate crime.’
Politicians have condemned this latest incident, including MLA Sinead Ennis.
The South Down representative said this was the second time in recent months that the wreaths have been vandalised.
“There is no place for attacks like in our society and I condemn this act outright.
“Monuments and memorials are important places in communities and should be respected.
“I would encourage anyone with information on this incident to contact the PSNI,” she said.
In a statement, Cliftonville Football Club said it had been made aware of ‘an incident that occurred at Narrow Water and allegations of involvement from persons returning from our fixture in Warrenpoint.’
Reacting to the reports, Reds Chairman Gerard Lawlor stated: “I totally condemn any act of desecration. We live in a sad society where anyone would get a kick out of desecrating a memorial. If anyone connected with our Club has any information about the incident then they should report it to the PSNI. This pathetic act isn’t in my name nor that of Cliftonville Football Club.”
“The Club understands that the matter is now under PSNI investigation and that those involved are not in an affiliated supporters group or Supporters Club.
“Cliftonville FC will provide its full cooperation in the investigation of this matter,” he added.