Vandals daubed the doors of a Catholic church in Northern Ireland with sectarian graffiti and gloated at the death of Kevin McDaid, the parish priest has confirmed.A window was smashed and attempts made to set the listed building in Coleraine, Co Derry, alight with burning rags, Fr Gregory Cormican added.
The cleric said the congregation was saddened by the overnight attack at St Malachy`s Church on Nursery Avenue.
"People here are very annoyed. It is not a good reflection of relations in Coleraine," he added.
Built in 1937, the neo-Romanesque church is a landmark in the area.
The priest said graffiti was sprayed at the front of the church which attacked the Pope and referred to Mr McDaid.
The Catholic community worker, aged 49, was attacked by loyalists after a row over republican flags in the Somerset area of Coleraine. His friend Damian Fleming was badly injured.
Fr Cormican added: "This church has never been touched before and we don`t want this happening here."
Meanwhile, police in Rasharkin, Co Antrim, are appealing for information following damage at a GAA club in the Dreen Road area.
Sinn Fein Assembly member Daithi McKay said all sections of the community would condemn those responsible.
SIC: BT