‘Absolutely disgusted’ — Somme memorial vandalised and flags stolen in Ballymena

The community memorial after it was vandalised on Saturday morning in Ballymena.

Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley has said he is “absolutely disgusted” after a memorial dedicated to Queen Street men who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme was vandalised and flags stolen overnight.

The flagpole at the community memorial in the Harryville area of Ballymena was torn down and two Somme memorial flags stolen in an incident understood to have happened overnight on Queen Street.

Police confirmed today, Saturday 8 August, that the incident is currently being treated as a hate crime.

Councillor Quigley said:

“I was absolutely disgusted this morning to find out that the memorial on Queen Street, dedicated to those from the street who died on 1 July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme, had been vandalised and the flags removed during the night.

“This memorial should offend nobody. Protestant and Catholic, British and Irish soldiers fought side by side at the Battle of the Somme to secure everyone’s freedom.

“This incident has been reported, and anyone who may have information is asked to contact the PSNI on 101.”

Memorial remembers Queen Street men

The memorial was erected by the local community around 15 years ago in remembrance of men who lived on Queen Street and died on 1 July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.

It originally stood beside the former pipe yard wall but was removed when construction began on the Home Bargains store site.

The memorial was reinstated in June this year at a new location around 20 yards further along Queen Street. A memorial summer seat was also added earlier this year.

The vandalism has therefore happened just weeks after the memorial was returned to Queen Street following the redevelopment of the site.

Police treating incident as hate crime

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed it received a report of criminal damage in the Queen Street area shortly before 7.25am today.

A PSNI spokesperson said:

“A report of the theft of a number of flags was also received.

“Enquiries are being conducted to establish the circumstances of the incident, which is being treated as a hate crime at this time.

“We would appeal for anyone with information to contact police using our witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals quoting 334 of 08/08/26, or call us on 101.

“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

Police enquiries are continuing, with anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the Queen Street area overnight, or who has information which could help establish what happened, urged to come forward.