A TRIBUTE to the Milltown Martyrs at the entrance to the Turf Lodge estate has been defaced by  Real IRA graffiti.

‘RIRA’ was daubed on the tribute at the entrance this week. It is said to be around the sixth time that the mural has been defaced in the past four weeks.

The mural depicts the funeral of  dead IRA Volunteers Mairead Farrell, Sean Savage and Dan McCann, and pictures of IRA Volunteer Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh and civilians John Murray and Thomas McErlean – the three killed in Milltown by Michael Stone.  Ann Loughran, the sister of Caomhín Mac Brádaigh, said: “Whoever did it is dishonouring the memory of the people who gave their lives for the cause of Irish republicanism. It just saddens me.”

Janice Austin, a Sinn Féin councillor for the area, hit out at those who defaced the mural. 

“The mural has been defaced around six times now and it has to stop,” she said. 

Councillor Austin added that those who are responsible for the graffiti were causing “agony and great distress” for the families of those depicted on the mural.