Concerns raised after swastika graffiti appears in village

Councillors have raised concerns after graffiti, including swastikas, was spray-painted in Eglinton, County Londonderry.

The graffiti was reported over the past two weeks in different locations throughout the village, including Coolafinny Road, Ballygudden Road and Mill Path.

Police have said they are investigating what they have described as "hate-motivated criminal damage".

"Eglinton has always been a mixed community, a multi-cultural community and it is a beautiful village, and this graffiti needs to stop," said SDLP councillor Declan Norris.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme on Wednesday, Norris said the graffiti has reappeared, despite local residents trying to remove it.

He said the latest vandalism had also targeted newly painted community artwork, describing it as "completely unacceptable".

"We have to call this out because this is a hate crime," Norris said.

"Eglinton has always been a mixed community, a multi-cultural community and it is a beautiful village, and this graffiti needs to stop."

Police have also said they have been made aware of anti-social behaviour occurring along walkways, particularly in the Glenrandel and Mill Path areas.

"It's enraging, it has angered a lot of people and it's just absolutely disgusting what we are seeing," said resident Zoe McNerlin, who helped clean up the graffiti.

"We are seeing areas resprayed after we have cleaned them, so I do believe there is a sinister element."

In a statement, Sinn Féin councillor Alex Duffy said he had been contacted by a number of concerned residents about "fascist graffiti", including swastikas and also "white only" slogans, which had appeared repeatedly in Eglinton in recent weeks.

He described the graffiti as "disgusting" and said it did not represent the village, which he said had long been a welcoming and inclusive community.

Duffy said he would ensure the incidents were treated seriously, calling for the prompt removal of future hate graffiti and greater co-ordination to help identify those responsible.

"Fascism, racism and sectarianism should not be allowed to breathe and should be stumped out at every opportunity."

In a post on social media, UUP councillor Janice Montgomery said it was "absolutely devastating" to see graffiti being painted around the village of Eglinton over these past few weeks.

She said she had reported it to the Department For Infrastructure (DfI) for removal.

"I know a few residents have been removing these themselves but they reappear shortly after," Montgomery said.

"The village of Eglinton has always had a community who take care and pride in the area they live in.

"The hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed and it's devastating to see graffiti like this and vandalism is not welcomed in any area."