Statement by TUV Castlederg representative Robert Oliver:
“On Monday evening around 7pm a small group of family members, colleagues, friends and members of CYL Flute Band attended a short roadside service at second Corgary, Castlederg, to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the murder of Cpl Heather Kerrigan and Pte Norman McKinley.
“The two people murdered by the IRA that day had been bridesmaid and best man at the wedding of Heather Kerrigan’s brother-in-law Tom Loughlin who was murdered by the IRA a few months earlier.
“Heather’s brother, David, who was seriously injured in the IRA explosion is a member of the local TUV branch.
“A few poppies and Memorial Crosses were placed at the scene on Monday, a hymn was played by the band members and a prayer offered. After that the group dispersed and returned to Castlederg where a memorial parade and service was attended by members of the Loyal Orders, Apprentice Boys and the UDR and RIR Associations.
“Less than twenty four hours later the poppies placed on the roadside fence had been defaced, removed and replaced by a despicable board with the wording IRA 2 UDR 0.
“I have contacted the PSNI about this hate crime and hope that they will treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
“Republicans talk grandly about shared space yet they attempt to deny the families of those their wicked IRA murdered the space to grieve. We may perhaps hear words of condemnation from Sinn Fein but those will sound hollow give that they organised a parade celebrating the criminal exploits of their murderous IRA in Castlederg less than 12 months ago.”