Theft of Castlefin memorial to 1st RUC officer killed in Republic condemned

The theft at the weekend of a memorial unveiled just a week previously at Castlefin cemetery to the first RUC officer killed in the Republic during the Troubles, has been condemned.

31-year-old Catholic, John Doherty was murdered by the IRA while visiting his widowed mother near Lifford, on October 28, 1973. He had been based in Omagh in Co Tyrone at the time.

The memorial was dedicated to the deceased on October 28, on the 50th anniversary of his death.

Local Sinn Féin Cllr Gary Doherty said: “I unequivocally condemn the theft of this memorial stone from a grave in Castlefin.

The Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District councillor added: “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 and whoever did this does not represent the community in our wee village.”

Meanwhile, the RUC man’s brother, Terry Doherty, spoke of the devastating loss that the family had never got over or seen justice. 

He said this week that the theft and what had happened at the cemetery was the invasion of a “sacred space”: 

“I am proud of the fact that John served with the RUC, served the London Metropolitan (Police) and I served with the Irish Army for nearly 27 years."

He told BBC Radio Foyle that he believed the removal of the memorial and a poppy wreath was solely based on his brother having been a member of the RUC at the time.

He added that he didn't know “who they represent or what they represent”.

While there had been offers to replace the memorial, he said that the family did not want the give the criminals the chance, opportunity or satisfaction to steal another stone from his brother’s grave.