Loyalists Destroy Grave. By Brendan Anderson
THE Christmas spirit was clearly absent on the outskirts of North Belfast over the weekend when Loyalists desecrated the grave of Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) murder victim Danny McColgan.
It was the second attack on the resting place of the Catholic 20-year-old mailman, who was gunned down on his way to work on the strongly Loyalist Rathcoole housing estate in January 2002. McColgan’s death was followed by a bizarre threat to kill all postal workers and Catholic teachers.
The Ulster Defense Association (UDA), parent body of the UFF, later admitted responsibility for the murder which sparked off waves of revulsion with trade unionists taking to the streets in protest.
In the latest attack on the McColgan grave, a photograph of the young father of one, etched into the corner of his headstone, was smashed and flowers scattered over neighboring graves.
The cemetery at Carnmoney has been the scene of several distasteful incidents involving Loyalists. On one occasion several Catholic graves were desecrated and headstones and Celtic crosses smashed.
Earlier this year, Loyalists gathered to protest at Catholics taking part in a “cemetery Sunday” service in the graveyard which is used by both communities. One Loyalist councilor explained that he was protesting because “holy water had been splashed over his car” by local parish priest Father Dan Whyte. Another protestor said he “felt threatened” by so many Catholics gathered together.
Father Whyte, who has received a number of threats to his life, said Tuesday the McColgan family had been very distressed by the latest act of sectarian vandalism.
“It made the attack especially personal by targeting something (the photograph) that was especially personal to his family,” he said.
The first headstone on McColgan’s grave was destroyed by Loyalists in May last year.
Three months ago Father Whyte was warned to review his personal security after police reported they had received “reliable intelligence” about death threats made
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