'Absolutely disgusting' race hate graffiti painted in Lisburn

A derelict building in Lisburn, with a cage over the front window and door, shows a painted over wall which once displayed the graffiti.

The graffiti has since been removed from a derelict building near Wardsborough Road in Lisburn

A man has been charged to court after racially motivated graffiti was painted at a number of locations in Lisburn.

It is believed the graffiti, which included threated towards members of a religious group, appeared at four or five places across the city between Thursday night and Friday morning.

One of the locations targeted was the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member and Education Minister Paul Givan's constituency office on the corner of Graham Gardens.

The 47-year-old man has been charged with seven counts of criminal damage and one charge of displaying written material to stir up hatred or arouse fear.

He is due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates' Court on 30 October.

Pat Catney is an older man with white hair. He is standing in front of a wall displaying graffiti - which is targeted against a religious group. Catney is wearing a long, dark coat with a white collared shirt and a red tie.

Pat Catney described the graffiti - which included threats towards members of a religious group - as "disgusting"

Lisburn North Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Pat Caney said the graffiti is "absolutely disgusting" and that it ruins the image if the city.

"We have been fighting hard in order to bring all of our communities together in order to make Lisburn a vibrant place for all and this is not called for," he told BBC News NI.

"Anyone who comes across this type of bigotry should call it out, report it to the police."

He said concerned residents had been contacting him throughout the day about the graffiti, adding that it does not represent the community.

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