Alliance Ballymena Councillor Patricia O’Lynn has said there is no place for sectarianism in Ballymena after sectarian slogans were painted on 25 properties.

Councillor O’Lynn said: “I would condemn without hesitation whoever painted these sectarian slogans in Ballymena. People have enough concerns right now and this sort of criminal activity will only cause further distress. In addition, it is an unnecessary drain on police resources during this public crisis.

“Police are treating this graffiti as sectarian hate crimes and I would urge anyone with information to pass it to the police as soon as possible. The Ballymena community wants to live and work together and there is no place for sectarianism or any other hate crimes in the area.”