Donegal County Councillor Gary Doherty has slammed the theft of a memorial in Castlefin.
The memorial plaque for an off-duty RUC officer was taken just over a week after it was first unveiled.
The family of John Doherty last week laid a bespoke plaque and poppy wreath on his family plot at Castlefinn graveyard. This week, however, the memorials have disappeared.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Gary Doherty has condemned the theft in a strongly-worded statement.
He said that whoever took the memorial does not represent the village of Castelfin.
He added “I unequivocally condemn the theft of this memorial stone from a grave in Castlefin graveyard.
“Everyone must have the right to remember their dead and graveyards should be sacrosanct places that are respected by all in our community.
“I believe that the vast, vast majority of the people in Castlefin would also condemn the theft of any memorial stone from a grave and whoever did this does not represent the community in our wee village.”
Detective Constable Doherty was 31 years old when he was shot by the IRA on October 28, 1973. He had been visiting his widowed mother in Ballindrait, who lived just 5 minutes from border.
He was gunned down at the entrance to his mother’s home and his girlfriend was also seriously injured in the attack, but survived. Nobody was convicted of the murder.
A service was held on Saturday 28th October last to mark the 50th anniversary of Detective Constable Doherty’s death.
Detective Constable Doherty’s brother Terry Doherty told BBC Radio Foyle that he believed the pieces were taken because John was a member of the RUC.
He said that the stone will not be replaced, as the relatives don’t want to give the criminals the chance to steal again.
“I won’t give them the opportunity or the satisfaction,” Mr Doherty said.
“John will always be remembered for who he was and for what he represented.”
