Queen Victoria statue ‘vandalised by activist group’ in Belfast paint attack
Police in Belfast are looking for witnesses after a statue of Queen Victoria was vandalised.
The monument named after the late monarch, located in the grounds of the Belfast hospital complex, was targeted.
Republican group Lasair Dhearg posted a photo on social media Friday afternoon showing a supporter pouring red paint on himself.
In an accompanying post, the group said “Belfast activists” visited the “Famine Queen,” a reference to the potato famine in Ireland in the mid-19th century.
“The British monarch Victoria oversaw the Great Hunger and the decimation of Ireland’s population, in which millions died and emigrated,” the report said.
“In a socialist republic, all symbols of the Empire, street names, statues, institutions and those who will stand against the people organized for a better future will be erased from the land.
“Only the struggle for a socialist republic can bring an end to occupation and imperialism in Ireland.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said in a statement that it received a report of criminal damage in the Grosvenor Road area of West Belfast on Friday afternoon.
“There have been reports of paint being thrown on a statue in the area,” the PSNI said.
“Investigations are at an early stage and police will appeal for any witnesses or anyone with any information that could help us to get in touch.”
Work was continuing Friday evening to remove the paint.
In a statement, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: “Belfast Trust is aware of an incident where the statue of Queen Victoria at the Royal Hospitals Group was painted with red paint.
“Trust staff are working to have this paint removed as quickly as possible. Police have been informed of the incident.”
DUP Councilor Phillip Brett said the vandalism was “an absolute disgrace”.
He said those responsible wanted to “intimidate” and also “erase” the British identity from Northern Ireland.
“This wasn’t ‘activism,’” he said.
“This was an attack on common space, heritage and basic respect.
“If they really cared about working class communities they would campaign to improve public services, not to destroy public property and intimidate others.
“We must be clear. Punitive damage is punitive damage. They must be convicted, investigated and those responsible must be held accountable before the courts without delay.
“Let me be clear to those who think they can erase the British identity from Northern Ireland, we are not going anywhere.”
Ulster Unionist Council member Alan Chambers, the party’s health spokesman, also condemned the incident.
“The disgraceful defacement of the statue at the Royal Victoria Hospital was a completely senseless and unacceptable act of vandalism,” he said.
“Whatever individuals’ views on history or heritage, there is no justification for targeting a healthcare facility in this way.
“The Royal Victoria Hospital exists to provide care and treatment to some of the sickest people in Northern Ireland and at the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
“This is a place dedicated to saving lives and supporting families; it should never be seen as an opportunity for foolish political protest or criminal harm.
“Every pound that now has to be spent repairing this damage is a pound taken away from the health service. “At a time when our health service is already under huge pressure and budgets are stretched, it is completely irresponsible for scarce resources to be used to clean up this mess.
“Those responsible have blatantly disregarded not only our shared public spaces, but also the patients and staff who depend on the Royal Victoria Hospital every day.
“That’s why I hope they will be identified and held accountable. I urge anyone with information about this despicable incident to come forward.”
