By Conor Sharkey

THE brother of a soldier killed in Castlederg 25 years ago has spoken of his "deep upset" at the theft of memorial crosses from the bomb site.

UDR members Heather Kerrigan and Norman McKinley died in an IRA landmine attack on the Corgary Road, Castlederg on July 14 1984.

Last week, prior to Rememberance Sunday, both families travelled to the Corgary Road to lay a wreath, flowers and several wooden crosses.

Within days, the poignant memorials had been removed.

The theft was the second time memorials were taken from the spot where Heather Kerrigan and Norman McKinley lost their lives. On July 14 this year, family flowers were laid, only to be removed the same night.

Speaking on Tuesday, David Kerrigan said the desecration was deeply upsetting but said the family would return to the spot to remember their loved ones again shortly.

"This was the first time the two families had got together to lay crosses and a wreath and we did it because we thought times had changed and they wouldn't be touched.

"Some family members had never been up so we went up the day before Rememberance Sunday to show them the spot and give them a minute to themselves.

"We laid about eight crosses and a wreath with the names on it. A couple of days later we were told the whole lot was gone. It was deeply upsetting, particularly for my mum who's 75," David explained.

He added that the family would return to the memorial site but said it would get harder if their tributes kept being stolen.

To those behind the theft, David said: "I don't think much of them. We don't know who it was and they may not even have been local, but whoever it was, I don't think much of them."

Ulster Unionist councillor for Castlederg Derek Hussey said he too was disgusted to learn that the tributes had again been removed.

"I was contacted by distraught and angry family members to report what had taken place. I know that there are many others in the community who are utterly appalled at this blatantly sectarian desecration of a memorial site. Roadside memorials with floral tributes exist throughout our area and are treated with respect. There is no rational reason for this simple tribute to be callously vandalised in this manner.

"Police have been informed of the attack and I would invite anyone with information, in regard to those who would have undertaken such a despicable action, to contact local police," councillor Hussey added.