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The statue of Queen Victoria that was vandalised by an Irish Republican group. Photo: Liam McBurney\/PA.<\/p>\nPolice in Belfast have appealed for witnesses after a statue of Queen Victoria was vandalised.<\/p>\n
The statue sits in the grounds of the Belfast hospital complex named after the late monarch.<\/p>\n
Republican group Lasair Dhearg posted a picture on social media on Friday afternoon appearing to show one of its supporters pouring red paint over the statue.<\/p>\n
In an accompanying post, the group said \u201cBelfast activists\u201d had paid a visit to the \u201cFamine Queen\u201d \u2013 a reference to the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century.<\/p>\n
Whatever views individuals may hold about history or heritage, there is absolutely zero justification for targeting a healthcare facility in this manner<\/p>\n
Alan Chambers, UUP health spokesman<\/p>\n
\u201cBritish monarch Victoria oversaw the Great Hunger and the decimation of the Irish population as millions perished and emigrated,\u201d it stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a socialist republic all the symbols of Empire will be stripped from the land; street names, statues, institutions and those that will stand against the people organising for a better future.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly the fight for a socialist republic can bring about the end of occupation and imperialism in Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it received a report of criminal damage on the Grosvenor Road site in west Belfast on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was reported that paint was thrown over a statue in the area,\u201d the PSNI said.<\/p>\n
\u201cInquiries are at an early stage and police would appeal to any witnesses, or anyone who might have any information which could assist us, to get in touch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Work was under way on Friday evening to remove the paint.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: \u201cBelfast Trust is aware of an incident in which the statue of Queen Victoria, on the Royal Group of Hospitals site, was daubed with red paint.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust staff are working to have this paint removed as quickly as possible. Police have been informed of the incident.\u201d<\/p>\n
DUP Assembly member Phillip Brett said the vandalism was an \u201cutter disgrace\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said those responsible wanted to \u201cintimidate\u201d and also \u201cerase\u201d British identity from Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis wasn\u2019t \u2018activism\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The statue of Queen Victoria that was vandalised by an Irish Republican group. Photo: Liam McBurney\/PA.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an attack on shared space, on heritage and on basic respect.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they truly cared about working-class communities, they would be campaigning to improve public services, not defacing public property and intimidating others.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must be clear. Criminal damage is criminal damage. It should be condemned, investigated and those responsible held accountable before the courts without delay.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd let me be clear to those who think they can erase British identity from Northern Ireland, we are not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Alan Chambers, who is the party\u2019s health spokesman, also condemned the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe disgraceful defacing of the statue at the Royal Victoria Hospital was a completely senseless and unacceptable act of vandalism,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever views individuals may hold about history or heritage, there is absolutely zero justification for targeting a healthcare facility in this manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Royal Victoria Hospital exists to provide care and treatment to some of the sickest people in Northern Ireland and at the most vulnerable moments in their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a place dedicated to saving lives and supporting families \u2013 it should never be seen as an opportunity for idiotic political protest or criminal damage.<\/p>\n
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