Mr Dickson was speaking after the memorial in the Church Road area had paint thrown over it sometime overnight. It has been targeted in the past and recently undergone refurbishment. Police are treating the incident as a hate crime.
“It is absolutely appalling anyone would carry out this utterly mindless act, which achieves nothing except increasing tensions,” he said.
“It is disrespectful to those who lost their lives serving their country and distressing to local residents, who have now seen this memorial attacked twice over the past few months. If we are to have a truly united community, this vandalism needs to stop.
“If anyone has any information on this incident, I would urge them to contact police with it immediately.”