Police have launched an investigation after severed pig heads were discovered in a public park, sparking widespread condemnation and outrage. The heads, one of which was reportedly impaled on a wooden stick, were found at Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor, County Down, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Reports suggest they were accompanied by a sign reading "here piggy piggy". The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed it is investigating the disturbing incident, which one local councillor branded "disgusting and sick".
Open-minded investigation
Officers say they are keeping an open mind regarding the motivation behind the act, with all potential lines of enquiry being explored. Some locals have speculated it could have been a Halloween prank, given the timing of the grim discovery. A local resident named Jack stumbled across the heads while walking his dog through the park early that morning.
He said that whether it was a Halloween prank or not, it had "crossed the line from harmless fun to something disgusting". Speaking to the BBC, Jack added: "There's absolutely no need for this in a public park. It's disturbing, unhygienic and shows a complete lack of consideration for everyone else using the space."
Residents 'horrified'
Jack noted that the park is "very busy" at weekends and had been scheduled to host Halloween activities for local children. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council confirmed it was aware of the incident and had been liaising with police and other relevant authorities.
Independent councillor Mark Gibbons told the BBC that many residents have been left "horrified" and that he himself is "completely shocked". The Crotlieve councillor branded it "absolutely disgusting and sick" that someone would go to "great lengths" to display the pig heads, particularly given that young families would be out enjoying Halloween.
He suggested it was unlikely that children were responsible, pointing to the "huge big stake posts" driven into the ground and the considerable size of the pig heads themselves. Mr Gibbons stated that if the incident was intended as a prank, it had been taken "too far".
Issuing a stern warning to those responsible, he added: "If they think this is some kind of joke that they're enjoying, then they may think again because it's been very disturbing for a lot of people."
