Alliance West Belfast representative Donnamarie Higgins has said the smashing of war graves at the City Cemetery in Belfast is an attack on the entire community.

Nineteen graves at the cemetery were damaged sometime between Monday evening and 1pm on Tuesday. The graveyard has 296 burials from World War I and 274 from World War II. Ms Higgins said it was a disgusting attack.

“This is an utterly senseless act of vandalism and a disgusting attack, not only on those with loved ones buried in the cemetery but the entire community,” she said.

“It is deeply saddening anyone would stoop so low as to attack any graves, never mind those who served in the world wars, and there is no place for that mindless behaviour in our society.

“I appeal to anyone with information on this incident or those behind it to contact police with it immediately.”