Draperstown ‘One Vote’ graffiti blamed on G8 protestors

Dissident Republican supporters are being blamed for vandalism although Sinn Fein Councillor Brian McGuigan believes it could be linked to the G8 Summit.

Councillor McGuigan said the Dissidents did not have any support in the area and it was more likely that people opposed to the G8 Summit were behind the vandalism.

But SDLP Councillor Kate Lagan said a link with the G8 was “highly unlikely”.

She said regardless of who was responsible it was unsightly and spoiled the image of Draperstown.

“It’s a disgrace in light of the very good work that has been been done by St Colm’s High School and Ballinascreen Community Group in trying to improve the image of the town,” she said.

DUP Councillor Anne Forde said if the responsible are found they should be made clean it off.

Describing it as unsightly and anti-social, Councillor Forde said Draperstown was the gateway to the Sperrins and to have graffiti daubed on the walls would do nothing to attract visitors especially over the summer. “I would appeal to anyone who has information to forward it to the PSNI,” she added. A PSNI spokesperson said they had received no complaints from the public.