Statement by TUV East Antrim Westminster candidate Matthew Warwick:
“The destruction of the commemorative plaque to Paddy the Pigeon in Carnlough would be scandalous at the best of times but it is particularly offensive during D-Day weekend. 80 years ago this week Paddy carried vital coded information back to Britain from Normandy about the landings which were a turning point in the fight for freedom.
“Paddy evaded both gun fire and hawks which were specially trained to take out pigeons carrying messages for the Allies. He completed the journey in record time and earned a Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of a Victoria Cross, for his exploits.
“It is a sad reflection on our society that some people can’t even acknowledge and tolerate a memorial to a bird that played a part in liberating Europe from Nazism. Yet there is still a statue to Sean Russell, a Nazi collaborator in Fairview Park in Dublin. It’s wonderful what can cause offence to a narrow mind!”