Windows have been smashed and anti Sinn Féin graffiti has been sprayed on community offices in Broughshane following a row over one of its councillors turning the village’s Christmas lights switch-on.
The offices are home to a number of community and charity groups, including a charity which supports elderly people in the local area.
Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor Bréanainn Lyness had switched the village’s Christmas lights on on Saturday, sparking criticism from the local lodge.
The councillor had expressed surprise that the event attracted controversy following the lengthy condemnation of his presence at the event.
Mr Lyness accepted the invitation to attend the event, deputising for Mayor Beth Adger, a DUP representative who was in Ballymena for the festive lighting up of that town on the same evening.
Broughshane LOL 503 said it was “disappointed” and “dismayed” that an “opportunity to bring people together and celebrate the festive season has instead been marred by a decision that fails to respect the sensitivities of all members of the community”.
A number of windows were smashed at Broughshane House on Main Street in the town in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Anti Sinn Féin graffiti was also sprawled at the front of the community offices, which houses a local charity supporting elderly people in the Mid and East Antrim council area.
Broughshane House is also the home of the Broughshane and District Community Association, who had extended the invitation to the Sinn Féin councillor.
The PSNI have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
Police are investigating a report of criminal damage at a property in the Main Street area of Broughshane on Wednesday 27th November.
Sergeant Kelly said: “Police received a report at around 7.15am that windows of a business premises had been smashed along with graffiti sprayed on the premises' wall within the Main Street area.
“Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 176 27/11/24.”
