Long overdue for politicians to take initiative on paramilitary-style attacks
THE Nolan Show last Friday (May 2) carried an explosive interview with a victim of paramilitary-style ‘policing’ in west Belfast. The victim, Liam Barker, who was first attacked by armed and masked men as a 15-year-old child, detailed the horror involved. He was shot in the legs on two further occasions, when he was a teenager, aged 17, and again aged 19. Unlike the prison sentences he received for car theft and other offences, IRA ‘justice’ has left him with life-crippling injuries. As Stephen Nolan said, these sadistic thugs somehow present themselves as soldiers rather than as child abusers.
This was a history-making interview, and possibly unique of its kind. Liam Barker has broken the silence. Yet, we know, according to official statistics, there have been more than 6,000 such attacks, due to loyalist and republican criminal gangs. (For various reasons, the figures are a gross underestimate.)
“ It is surely the responsibility of our politicians to convene a special debate at Stormont to examine this central legacy of the Troubles
The big point is that virtually all of these victims have remained silent, for reasons we well know. Is it possible that any of our MLAs who listened to the harrowing details of Liam Barker’s ordeals can turn a blind eye to this catalogue of suffering? The injustice crosses the community divide, affecting unionists and nationalists. It is surely the responsibility of our politicians to convene a special debate at Stormont to examine this central legacy of the Troubles, one that affected literally thousands of people. More specifically, it is the responsibility of the SDLP, the DUP, the UUP, Alliance, TUV, and particularly Sinn Féin, to debate the issues raised.
We have had enquiries into mother and child homes, reformatories, and other care institutions, but one of the largest areas of child abuse in this society has been cruelly ignored. Adding insult to injury, victims of paramilitary-style attacks have been told that their injuries, physical and psychological, are not Troubles-related, and hence they are not entitled to any compensation under the Troubles Permanent Disablement Scheme (operated by the Victims’ Payments Board).
By the way, Liam Barker’s application, along with many others, was rejected by the board under this scheme.
The time is long overdue for politicians of all parties to take the initiative and show some of the bravery Liam Barker has shown. A full debate at Stormont is the least that might be expected, to be followed by a wide-ranging enquiry.
LIAM KENNEDY Professor of History, Queen’s University Belfast
Sisters' disgust as MLA hails man they believe gave order to murder brother Robert
Suzanne Breen, Belfast Telegraph, May 9th, 2025
MARKETS COMMEMORATION EVENT FOR JOCK DAVISON LEAVES MCCARTNEYS 'SICK TO PIT OF THEIR STOMACHS'
The sisters of Robert McCartney have branded as “shameful” a commemoration for the IRA commander they believe ordered their brother's murder.
The memorial event for Gerard 'Jock' Davison was held in the Markets area of Belfast on Monday night.
The McCartneys said they are “disgusted” by comments from local Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey, who described it as a “great event for our amazing friend”.
Robert McCartney, a 33-year-old father of two from the Short Strand, was stabbed to death by IRA members outside Magennis's bar in Belfast in January 2005.
His sisters said Davison had drawn his finger across his throat to signal to other IRA men to kill Mr McCartney and his friend Brendan Devine — a claim the commander denied.
Davison, who was employed as a community worker, was himself shot dead in the Markets area in May 2015. The Market Development Association advertised a “community memorial” for him at the junction of Welsh Street and Upper Stanfield Street where the former IRA commander was murdered 10 years ago.
Catherine McCartney said: “We have no objection to any family — regardless of their relative's role in the conflict — commemorating their loved ones privately. They have every right to do so.
“However, we object to the public commemoration for Jock Davison which we see as effectively legitimising Robert's murder.
“Jock didn't personally wield the knife that killed my brother but he was more responsible than the Provo who stabbed Robert to death because he chose to let the mad dog off the leash.”
Ms McCartney added: “Jock Davison wasn't a positive force in this community. He was involved not just in Robert's murder, but in those of other men down through the years. There are many empty chairs in homes across this city because of him.”
Facebook Video
After the event on Monday night, the Market Development Association posted a video on Facebook commemorating the former IRA commander.
“Your legacy, activism and dedication lives on in the work we are continuing to do to improve the quality of life in our community,” it said.
“Your life was spent in service to others; to our people, our community and country, and your impact is still felt today.”
The association described Davison's life as “an example to us all”.
It said: “We will remember you always, we will forever speak your name, we will continue to serve our community as you did.
“Your name we will keep where the Fenians sleep 'neath the shroud of the foggy dew.” It added: “Don't mourn, organise.”
Deirdre Hargey posted on Facebook: “A great event for our amazing friend, gone but never forgotten and the work continues.”
Paula McCartney said: “I want to remind those who commemorated this man, and to remind Deirdre Hargey, who has paid a glowing tribute to him, exactly what he did. Jock Davison drew a finger across his throat to indicate to his henchmen what he wanted done to my brother and Brendan Devine.
“It is disgraceful that Deirdre Hargey has warm words for someone like that. She is my MLA. Three of my four sisters also live in South Belfast as do most of our children. Has she no regard for us at all?
“As a family we live with the repercussions of Jock's actions every day. To hear how Deirdre Hargey speaks of him makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. We are all really upset about it.”
Ms Hargey had been in the bar on the night McCartney was killed. She later said in a statement to a solicitor that she had seen nothing.
Another Sinn Fein councillor also paid tribute to Davison on Facebook. Cora Groogan, a member of Mid-Ulster Council, shared the video and wrote: “A lovely tribute this evening to remember our friend Jock Davison.
“He would be very proud that his work and legacy continue in the community he dearly loved.”
In January 2005, Ms Groogan had sat yards away as the pub brawl which led to Robert McCartney's murder erupted.
Ms Groogan later insisted that she saw nothing. She told the Guardian: “I got to the bar about 10pm that Sunday. I was there for a short while. There was a commotion in the bar but I witnessed nothing and left shortly after 11pm. I have given a full statement to my solicitor.”
Sinn Fein and the Market Development Association have been contacted for comment.
Claire McCartney said: “I would like to ask those who attended the commemoration for Jock Davison exactly what they were remembering.
“Are they going to tell the whole story of Jock's life or will they just leave out the horrific bits? He left a trail of carnage, that's his legacy. I question the moral compass of those who celebrate his life.”
Catherine McCartney said: “They tell us that victims need to move on but it is we who are dragged back into the past by these displays celebrating our loved ones' murderers. If they want victims to go quietly into the future, then why don't they do it?”
Quest for justice that a code of omerta doomed to failure
Suzanne Breen, Belfast Telegraph, May 9th, 2025
Ten years separated the murder of Gerard 'Jock' Davison and the brutal killing for which he hit the headlines.
The family of Robert McCartney say the former IRA commander gave the order to kill their brother who was stabbed to death outside Magennis's bar in the Markets area of Belfast in 2005.
A decade later, Davison met a violent end. He was shot dead by a solitary gunman as he walked from his home to the community centre where he worked.
The IRA believed a former comrade, Kevin McGuigan, was the gunman. McGuigan had served with Davison in the Provisionals and in Direct Action Against Drugs, a front name for the IRA to kill drug dealers after the ceasefire.
McGuigan was himself shot dead outside his Short Strand home three months later in revenge for Davison's execution.
Following the August 2015 killing, then PSNI Chief Constable Sir George Hamilton said the IRA still existed and some of its members were involved in McGuigan's murder.
After their brother's death, the five McCartney sisters stepped forward to challenge the Provisionals and the code of omerta which ruled in working class nationalist areas. Their campaign for justice took them around the world, including to Strasbourg and Washington.
In 2008, three men went on trial in connection with Robert's killing. Terry Davison, Jock's uncle, was charged with murder; Jim McCormick and Joe Fitzpatrick with causing an affray. All three were found not guilty.
The family said that was the right decision given the lack of evidence against them.
Claims denied
The McCartneys have always insisted that Jock Davison gave the order for their brother's murder — a claim he denied. They say that after a fight broke out in the bar, Davison drew a finger across his throat to indicate to his henchmen what he wanted done to Robert and his friend Brendan Devine.
Both men were followed into Market Street where they were beaten, kicked, stabbed and left to die. Devine survived but McCartney died in hospital nine hours later.
The McCartney sisters condemned Jock Davison's murder in 2015. “We wanted Jock to face justice in a courtroom, not down the barrel of a gun,” said Catherine McCartney.
“The type of justice we hoped for has eluded us. We will never see Jock standing in the dock now. He can never be held accountable for what he did that night.”
Paula McCartney said: “Had Jock Davison not been in Magennis's bar that night, Robert would be alive today. The fight in the bar would still have happened but that is all it would have been, a fight.
“At worst, Robert would have been left with bruises and a bloody nose. There would not have been a dead body. It was Jock Davison who chose to turn it into something far more deadly that night.”
Catherine McCartney said: “Jock was the person we most wanted in the dock because the murder was carried out at his behest. But we felt he was protected. We repeatedly asked police if he was an informer.
“We were just told the issue of informers was irrelevant to the investigation.”
Boutcher: Police failing victims on legacy due to lack of funding
Rebecca Black, Irish News, May 9th, 2025
POLICE are “failing” victims in dealing with the legacy of the Troubles due to a lack of funding and an agreed approach, the chief constable has said.
Jon Boutcher said some £160 million has been spent on legacy over the last 10 years.
This includes investigating offences, staff to provide documentation for legal cases, and dealing with civil claims.
He said the annual cost of dealing with legacy is equivalent to 400 officers at a time when the PSNI is severely under-staffed.
Mr Boutcher recently halted researchers working on any cases apart from preparation for the next stage of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, which will start next month.
He said his staff are meeting legal representatives for victims over the delays and legal processes.
Addressing the Policing Board, Mr Boutcher also described reputational damage being caused to the PSNI over legacy, saying it is feeding off the “outdated and dangerous narrative” of those behind anti-police posters.
Legacy cases a barrier to building trust
“The legacy of our past continues to play a significant part in providing a barrier to trust and confidence in policing in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Other than some marginal funding for inquests, the PSNI is not funded to address legacy.
“We have insufficient resources in the departments that deal with legacy that resulted in us failing victims and communities.
“Those failures include slow and partial information disclosure, the inappropriate categorisation and management of sensitive information, and criminal investigations either not being completed or undertaken in a timely fashion.”
Mr Boutcher said he is not criticising officers and staff who deal with legacy, and they have done an “incredible job with the resources that they have”.
“They continue to do their very best, but they’ve been let down by the absence of a plan and the lack of resourcing and funds to properly address legacy litigation, inquests and criminal investigations,” he said.
Crippling costs
Outlining the cost of legacy, Mr Boutcher said in total the PSNI has incurred costs of £160m on legacy matters in the last 10 years, and there could potentially be further cases going on for decades.
“Annually, the cost of legacy equates to approximately 400 police officers,” he said.
“This is a shocking figure at a time when the service faces unprecedented operational pressure.
We need a dedicated, properly resourced approach to legacy, which is distinct from the day-to-day work of the PSNI
“In the last 10 years, the cost of investigating legacy murders has reached £94m.
“Since 2018 we’ve resolved 30 high value civil cases, paying out £25m to the applicants, including their solicitor costs.
“The cost of managing this complex, time-consuming pressure to us as an organisation was £18.5 million.
“There are over 1,100 outstanding civil actions against the PSNI. That’s up from 150 in 2014, the figure is likely to continue rising.
“Looking ahead, we expect the cost of our involvement in the Omagh Bombing Inquiry to be between £12m and £15m.”
He also said they expect that working with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery will cost £1.5m a year.
“The PSNI is not funded for these issues,” he said.
“It’s time for an honest conversation about the PSNI and how the PSNI and legacy is actually funded.
“We need a dedicated, properly resourced approach to legacy, which is distinct from the day-to-day work of the PSNI.”
He was also critical of government, saying he is told legacy funding is a devolved matter by the UK government, while others say it is a matter for Westminster.
“This needs to be sorted. This needs everybody around the table working to resolve legacy, to allow this society to properly move forward,” he said.
Victims’ families to receive Stakeknife reports
Connla Young, Irish News, May 9th, 2025
REPORTS are to be delivered to relatives of people murdered by an IRA unit led by British agent Stakeknife.
West Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci was identified as the agent in 2003.
The ‘internal security unit’, also known as the ‘nutting squad’, was responsible for hunting down and killing informers.
While it was previously known Scappaticci worked for the British army’s Force Research Unit (FRU), documents suppressed by MI5 until last year confirmed he was instructed by that agency via his military handlers.
An interim report on his activities was published last year. A final version is yet to be published.
Security checking has been delayed by British government officials until a decision is made about whether to name Stakeknife as Scappaticci.
26 family reports to be released
At a meeting of the Policing Board yesterday, Sir Iain Livingstone, head of Operation Kenova which conducted the investigation, confirmed that the Cabinet Office has given permission for 26 family reports to be made available.
“They are now complete, they have been subject to security checks and in the next number of weeks families will receive those specific family reports,” he said.
It is understood that details of the families who receive them will not be made public.
Sir Iain said members of the his investigating team have already “met personally and verbally shared some detail”.
It emerged last year that MI5 had failed to disclose hundreds of pages including “significant new information” to the Kenova team.
“They are now complete, they have been subject to security checks and in the next number of weeks families will receive those specific family reports.
Sinn Fein taken to task at Policing Board for aupporting past IRA actions
By Rebecca Black, PA, Belfast News Letter, May 9th, 2025
Sinn Fein have been urged by the DUP to reflect on the role played by the Provisional IRA during Northern Ireland's troubled past.
It came during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board yesterday which focused on issues faced by police in their role dealing with legacy.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher outlined his concerns around the costs in terms of financial and staffing resources, but also reputational damage because they had not been funded sufficiently to deal with legacy.
He urged more resources as well as a focus on victims, and that an approach to dealing with the past be agreed.
Dealing with the past was not included in the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and subsequent deals, including the Stormont House accord in 2014, were not progressed.
Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly responded to Mr Boutcher, hailing what he said seemed to be a “new philosophy of approach” and potentially a “watershed moment”.
“I have sat in front of many chief constables and you're the first chief constable who has said we need to change this in a radical way,” he said.
Mr Kelly also said that while “nothing is perfect”, the Stormont House Agreement saw most of the parties and the British and Irish governments in agreement.
He blamed the UK for “pulling out” of that agreement.
IRA was ‘biggest cause of victims’
But DUP MLA Trevor Clarke said many in the unionist community felt “they were let down particularly by Sinn Fein and others”, and in reference to the party's historic relationship with the Provisional IRA, said they were “the biggest cause of victims in Northern Ireland”.
“It seems ironic listening to Gerry speak at the minute that there is no reflection on what part Sinn Fein and the IRA played during the Troubles,” he said.
“I know it's not Stormont, it's not a political debating chamber but I think it has to be said that if everyone is to be honest and everyone wants to be honest, then everyone should be honest and should all come to the table honest in terms of the parts that they played during the Troubles, as opposed to working on the small numbers that the security forces were involved in.
“I certainly want to put on record our party's concerns around the process, sympathies with police in how they deal with it, but there is a section of the community will never be satisfied unless the victim makers stand in the courts and actually own up to their part as well.”
Outlining the cost of legacy, Mr Boutcher said in total the PSNI have incurred costs of £160 million on legacy matters in the last 10 years, and there could potentially be further cases going on for decades.
“Annually, the cost of legacy equates to approximately 400 police officers,” he told the Policing Board.
“This is a shocking figure at a time when the service faces unprecedented operational pressure.
“In the last 10 years, the cost of investigating legacy murders has reached £94 million.
“Since 2018 we’ve resolved 30 high value civil cases, paying out £25 million to the applicants, including their solicitor costs.
“The cost of managing this complex, time-consuming pressure to us as an organisation was £18.5 million.
“There are over 1,100 outstanding civil actions against the PSNI. That’s up from 150 in 2014, the figure is likely to continue rising.
“Looking ahead, we expect the cost of our involvement in the Omagh Bombing Inquiry to be between £12 million and £15 million.”
Relatives ‘could die without seeing Glenanne Gang justice’ court hears
Alan Erwin, Irish News, May 9th, 2025
BEREAVED relatives suing over alleged security force collusion with a notorious loyalist paramilitary unit responsible for more than 100 murders could die without ever seeing justice, the High Court has heard.
As a judge listed some civil actions for trial, he was urged to press ahead with the wider group of cases brought over killings carried out by the Glenanne Gang 50 years ago.
Desmond Fahy KC, representing a number of the families, said: “Underpinning all of this are fairness requirements.
“The reality is the more time that passes those most directly affected either become seriously ill or are dying and not having their day in court to see justice being served.”
The UVF unit at the centre of the litigation is believed to have been responsible for up to 120 deaths in a sustained killing spree during the mid 1970s.
Based at a farm in Glenanne, Co Armagh, the gang allegedly contained members of the RUC and the UDR.
In court yesterday more than 30 civil actions against the police and Ministry of Defence over some of the murders and attempted murders were grouped together for the first time.
Lawyers representing victims or their next of kin argued that a discovery process should not be allowed to hold up the claims.
During the review hearing Mr Justice Rooney agreed to list three of the actions for hearings later this year.
Over 30 civil actions pending
In court yesterday more than 30 civil actions against the police and Ministry of Defence over some of the Glenanne Gang’s murders and attempted murders were grouped together for the first time
The actions include a claim by Eugene Reavey, whose three brothers John Martin, Brian and Anthony died after being shot by masked intruders at the family’s home in Whitecross, south Armagh, in January 1976.
Another lawsuit centres on the murder of Elizabeth McDonald in August that year in a car bomb explosion outside the Step Inn Bar in
Keady. Relatives of Sean Patrick Farmer, who was shot dead at Altnamackin, Co Armagh, in August 1975, have also taken a case.
As he confirmed dates for those actions, Mr Justice Rooney vowed: “The message is now loud and clear, I will list these cases as soon as possible.”
Kevin Winters of KRW Law, who acts for 15 of the families, said: “Seeing all the cases listed collectively like this for the first time really brings home the sheer scale of the linked atrocities at this time in the conflict.
“We look forward to seeing enhanced judicial oversight to help bring these cases to conclusion as many next of kin have either sadly passed away or are life limited.”
PSNI drafts new policy on the use of Public Interest Immunity certificates
Irish News, May 9th, 2025
THE PSNI has drafted a new policy on the use of Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificates.
PII certificates are used by state agencies to withhold information they do not want the public to see.
The use of certificates contributed to the collapse of several high-profile legacy inquests last year, including that of murdered Co Derry GAA official Sean Brown.
Before his inquest was abandoned, a coroner issued a gist, or summary, which revealed more than 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents.
The British government later launched a retrospective judicial review of the decision by the coroner to provide the damning gist.
PII certificates have also been issued in non-conflict related cases, including the death of teenager Noah Donohoe.
The 14-year-old went missing during a bike trip from his home in south Belfast in June 2020.
His body was found in a north Belfast storm drain six days later.
Suspicions surrounding the teenager’s death were compounded by an application by the PSNI for PII certificates to withhold information from his inquest.
PIIs generate suspicion and undermine public confidence in policing
Speaking at the Policing Board yesterday, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he fully accepts “and will always comply with the PSNI responsibility to protect sensitive information and national security”.
“The current approach to disclosing sensitive information such as redacting information on the grounds of national security and public [interest] immunity certificates is much stronger here than I have experienced in the UK,” he said.
“Those differences only serve to generate suspicion and undermine confidence in policing.
“These processes will improve.” Mr Boutcher revealed police have drafted a new PII policy which has been shared with the “Northern Ireland Office and reviewer of terrorism legislation and the legislate in Northern Ireland that manages national security”.
“That work is ongoing,” he said. Mr Boutcher said the policy will be published once it has been agreed.
Suspicions surrounding the death of Noah Donohoe (14) were compounded by an application by the PSNI for PII certificates to withhold information from his inquest
Sinn Féin Policing Board member Gerry Kelly later referred to PII certificates.
“The terrible example of how badly it was abused was around the young Noah Donahoe case where PIIs were introduced, nothing to do with the conflict… I am glad that you are going to publish, as you have said, a PII document, a lot of people will be wating strongly for that,” he said.
Catholic ex-police officer stands over sectarian abuse allegations
Response follows chief constable’s assessment that member of riot squad not victim of sectarian behaviour
Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent, Irish News, May 9th, 2025
A former PSNI officer is standing over claims he was targeted by colleagues because of his religion after Chief Constable Jon Boutcher told the Policing Board he was not a victim of sectarian behaviour.
Earlier this year the ex-officer, known as Sean, made a series of allegations about the extent of anti-Catholic abuse he faced while serving in a Tactical Support Group (TSG) unit, better known as the riot squad.
He was among the first Catholic recruits to join the PSNI in 2002 and retired on medical grounds in December aged 45.
Allegations of sectarianism were initially raised by Sean – not his real name – in a newspaper article earlier this year.
The ex-officer revealed how he heard foul-mouthed comments from PSNI colleagues for wearing ashes on his forehead on Ash Wednesday.
He also told how he heard police officers using the anti-Catholic slur ‘Fenian’ while nationalist politicians who appeared on television were sworn at.
Some former police colleagues even whistled The Sash around the Twelfth, the former police officer said.
Boutcher described meeting with officer and solicitor as ‘positive’
Speaking at the Policing Board yesterday, Mr Boutcher said he recently held a private meeting with the former officer and his solicitor, Kevin Winters of KRW Law.
Mr Boutcher said the meeting was “really positive” and described the former officer as “a decent man” and an “exemplary police officer”.
However, the former Operation Kenova boss went on to dismiss the Catholic officer’s concerns about sectarianism.
The former officer, known as Sean, made a series of allegations about the extent of anti-Catholic abuse he faced while serving in a Tactical Support Group unit
“I am not going to go into details of the meeting but what I want to assure this board is, I am absolutely satisfied that the concerns that you may have had from the article, I have no concerns that the Blacks [TSG unit], the officers, his colleagues, acted in a sectarian way towards him,” he said.
Former TSG members reject allegations
A group of 43 former TSG officers had previously said that Sean’s “allegations are categorically untrue”.
Mr Boutcher confirmed he has met members of a TSG unit known as ‘Blacks’ who he claimed were “concerned and hurt by what had been said”, adding that they were “very concerned about Sean as an officer and an ex-colleague”.
Mr Boutcher said he was “reassured by a number of measures that we have undertaken”, adding that “there has not been sectarianism towards anybody on that team”.
“In fact, I asked for a show of hands and I would say between onethird and a half of the officers are Catholic officers and they have a great affection, fondness and professional admiration for Sean and they were concerned about his well-being,” he said.
The chief constable said he has spoken to retired officers, saying “it’s clear that they are extremely upset and hurt by the allegations that were made”, later adding that “I cannot explain the article in the newspaper”.
“There was a review of the allegations made at the time, Sean was offered an independent chief inspector to examine the issues, investigate, which he decided that didn’t need to happen,” he said.
“And there is no legal case or ongoing investigation and I am hoping we can draw a line under that particular episode.”
Kevin Winters says client stands over allegations
Mr Winters said Sean is standing over is allegations.
“I’ve spoken with Sean shortly after the [Policing Board] meeting today and he was keen to clarify on the issue of sectarianism when he said ‘I’ll say it again, just because it’s denied doesn’t mean it didn’t happen’,” he said.
“I stand by every word I said. Because it’s the truth.”
I’ve spoken with Sean shortly after the [Policing Board] meeting today and he was keen to clarify on the issue of sectarianism when he said ‘I’ll say it again, just because it’s denied doesn’t mean it didn’t happen’
Mr Winters said he welcomed “the very positive comments from the chief constable at the meeting”.
“Our private meeting with Sean and the chief constable was both collaborative and constructive,” he said.
“It helped clear the air on a number of issues.”
No overt sactarianism
Mr Winters said the sectarianism faced by his client was “nuanced”.
“At our engagement it was made clear that there was no evidence of any overt sectarianism,” he said.
“Sean explained that It was very much nuanced and understated and from a small number of officers.”
The concerns raised by Sean come as a significant number of Catholics continue to reject policing as a career option.
During a recent recruitment drive just 29% of potential recruits were from the nationalist community.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna has recently called for a review of the PSNI and voiced concern that policing has drifted from the reforms introduced by the Patten Commission.
Theft of VE Day flag from Orange Hall shows 'disrespect' to all who fought for freedom
By Philip Bradfield, Belfast News Letter, May 9th, 2025
The theft of a VE Day flag from outside an Orange Hall in Limavady shows "blatant disrespect" to people from all traditions who fought to secure freedom in World War II, the order has said.
The PSNI said they received a report of the theft of a flag in the Drumrane Road area of Limavady on Wednesday, 7 May.
"Enquiries into the incident, which is being treated as a hate crime, are ongoing," police said.
"It is believed that the theft occurred at some point overnight between 10pm on Tuesday, 6th May and 9am on Wednesday, 7h May.
Police said the VE Day flag was stolen from the Drumrane Road area of Limavady on Wednesday, May 7th.
"Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference 1123 of 07/05/25."
The local orange lodge said the flag had been erected at some height and would have taken "considerable effort" to get high enough to rip it down.
The cable ties which had been used to attach the flag are still visible in the photograph supplied by the lodge.
Orange Order Chief Executive Iain Carlisle said the vandalism showed disrespect to people from all traditions who to secure freedom in World War II.
“ As people across the world come together to remember and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, it is sad that once again, an Orange Hall has been targeted,” he said.
"The individuals who are responsible have again displayed their intolerance and hatred of our history and culture.
"Their actions show a blatant disrespect to all those local men and women, from all traditions, who volunteered to serve their nation and secured the freedom of Europe 80 years ago.”
In a statement, the officers and members of Largy Sons of William and Limavady District LOL No.6 expressed their "profound disappointment over the theft and vandalism of one of the three flags erected outside Largy Orange Hall".
"The flags were put up to mark the significant 80th anniversary of VE Day, a day that symbolizes the triumph over tyranny and the hard-won freedoms enjoyed today,” they said.
"The stolen flag was not just a piece of fabric fluttering in the wind; it was a symbol of the immense sacrifices made by countless individuals during World War II.
"The officers and members of Largy LOL are particularly disheartened that a flag commemorating such a pivotal moment in history has been treated with such irreverence.
"VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the day when the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, bringing an end to a brutal conflict that claimed millions of lives.
"The desecration of a flag representing such a momentous occasion is more than just an act of vandalism; it is an affront to the memory of those who laid down their lives for a better future.
“We would call on those responsible for this disrespectful act to reflect on their actions and feel genuine remorse.”
The vandalism has sent “ripples of shock and disappointment” through the community, they said.
"The act of tearing down and stealing the flag is seen as a direct attack on the values of respect, unity, and remembrance that VE Day embodies.”
The lodge called on anyone with any information on the removal of the flag to contact the PSNI in Limavady.
By Letters
Published 9th May 2025, 14:32 BST
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A letter from Danny Kinahan:
Today on this 80th commemoration of victory in Europe, we not only remember all those military veterans who served in Europe in World War II and their families, but also celebrate the military and civilians alike, who did all in their power to help defeat Hitler and the Axis forces.
On a personal level, I remember my own family and the part they enacted.
My father was in the 8th Belfast Ack-Ack Regiment of the Royal Artillery, my uncle who ended up in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp on the river Kwai (having been captured in Singapore as part of their defence forces) and my grandfather who served in the Royal Navy in both world wars. We were fortunate – they all survived and set standards to me of service and duty, just as so many others here did.
British soldiers saw action in multiple continents in World War Two, including at Kwai in Thailand, Asia and in 1942 at El Alamein, north Africa. Whenever you see a military veteran keep in mind what they have done.
The Irish have been the backbone of the British military for years. My family was no different from anyone else’s, with those who served and those who supported steadfastly from home.
It is essential today that we ensure that everyone understands what society gave up to ensure that we all remained free from tyranny and able to decide our own futures. Those six years of valiant and selfless service by our military, ensured we have had the freedoms we have enjoyed for the last eighty years.
Whenever you see a military veteran in the future may I ask everyone to keep in mind what they have done and the service they have given.
Those who we remember and celebrate today have set the highest of standards and we owe them our never-ending gratitude.
Danny Kinahan, Former guards officer, ex MLA, ex MP and former Veterans Commissioner
