Antrim and Newtownabbey Council condemns desecration of Glengormley Cenotaph
- Love Ballymena
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has unanimously condemned the recent desecration of the Glengormley Cenotaph, describing the incident as an attack on remembrance and community respect.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Robert Foster (UUP) and seconded by Alderman Mark Cosgrove (UUP), was passed at the Full Council meeting on Monday 27 October 2025. It stated:
“That this chamber condemns the desecration of the Glengormley Cenotaph and calls upon this chamber to repudiate all attacks on our nation’s war dead, regardless of religion or creed.”
All political parties represented on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council supported the motion, reflecting a rare moment of unity across the chamber.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, said:
“This Council Chamber unites to utterly condemn these attacks, and to honour the sacrifice of brave men and women from every background. It is our duty to protect their memory and promote peace and understanding for generations to come.”
As part of the resolution, the Council’s Community Development Service will lead educational initiatives to promote remembrance and mutual respect throughout the borough.
The Council also confirmed it will review CCTV coverage at war memorials and other public sites, working closely with the PSNI to help deter further incidents.
‘A shameful and deeply disrespectful act’
South Antrim MP Robin Swann added his voice to the condemnation, describing the vandalism as “shameful and deeply disrespectful.”
“The desecration of the Glengormley Cenotaph is a shameful and deeply disrespectful act that has caused real hurt across the local community,” he said.
“Our war memorials are sacred places of remembrance - they honour the men and women from every tradition in Northern Ireland who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy today.”
“I fully support the motion brought forward by my UUP colleagues Councillor Foster and Alderman Cosgrove, and I commend Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for its united stance in condemning this act.
“Those responsible should face the full weight of the law and I welcome the Council’s commitment to education and practical measures to help prevent such incidents in future.”
The Council reaffirmed that remembrance spaces across Antrim and Newtownabbey serve as symbols of shared sacrifice, transcending political and religious divisions.
The unified response from councillors and community representatives sends a clear message that acts of desecration and disrespect will not be tolerated.
