Derry’s War Memorial branded ‘a disgrace’

There have been calls for a major clean-up and revamp of the War Memorial in Derry’s Diamond ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

The call came from the DUP’s Graham Warke at the monthly meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Speaking at the meeting, Ald Warke said that it was now time for a ‘revamp’ of the memorial ahead of the anniversary commemorations on July 1, 2016.

He said the current state of the memorial was a ‘disgrace’, adding that council would need to ‘get it cleaned’ ahead of the centenary.

Cllr Warke continued that the War Memorial Trust would cover ‘three quarters’ of the overall cost.

Responding, the Mayor of Derry, Elisha McCallion said the best way to discuss the issue would be within the Centenary Group recently set up by the council.

The group was set up to discuss how council best mark both the 100th anniversary of the Somme and the Easter Rising of 1916.

The Mayor added the clean-up would also be discussed at a meeting of the council’s capital development group.