Queen Victoria Statue Targeted in Paint Attack at Belfast Hospital
Police in Belfast have launched an investigation after a statue of Queen Victoria was vandalised with red paint at the Royal Victoria Hospital complex. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, with republican group Lasair Dhearg claiming responsibility through social media posts showing a supporter pouring paint over the monument.
Republican Group Claims Responsibility
Lasair Dhearg posted images on social media appearing to show the act of vandalism, accompanied by a statement referring to Queen Victoria as the "Famine Queen" in reference to the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century. The group claimed that "Belfast activists" had targeted the statue, stating that "British monarch Victoria oversaw the Great Hunger and the decimation of the Irish population as millions perished and emigrated."
The group's statement continued with political rhetoric, asserting that "in a socialist republic all the symbols of Empire will be stripped from the land" including "street names, statues, institutions" and that "only the fight for a socialist republic can bring about the end of occupation and imperialism in Ireland."
Police Investigation Underway
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed receiving a report of criminal damage at the Grosvenor Road site in west Belfast. "It was reported that paint was thrown over a statue in the area," a PSNI spokesperson stated, adding that "inquiries are at an early stage and police would appeal to any witnesses, or anyone who might have any information which could assist us, to get in touch."
Work commenced immediately to remove the red paint from the statue, with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust confirming they were aware of the incident and that "trust staff are working to have this paint removed as quickly as possible."
Political Condemnation Across Parties
DUP Assembly member Phillip Brett described the vandalism as an "utter disgrace," accusing those responsible of attempting to "intimidate" and "erase" British identity from Northern Ireland. "This wasn't 'activism'," Brett stated emphatically. "It was an attack on shared space, on heritage and on basic respect."
The DUP representative challenged the perpetrators' priorities, suggesting that "if they truly cared about working-class communities, they would be campaigning to improve public services, not defacing public property and intimidating others." Brett concluded with a firm declaration: "And let me be clear to those who think they can erase British identity from Northern Ireland, we are not going anywhere."
Healthcare Resources Diverted
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Alan Chambers, who serves as the party's health spokesman, offered particularly strong condemnation, highlighting the impact on healthcare resources. "The disgraceful defacing of the statue at the Royal Victoria Hospital was a completely senseless and unacceptable act of vandalism," Chambers stated.
He emphasized the inappropriate nature of targeting a healthcare facility, noting that "the Royal Victoria Hospital exists to provide care and treatment to some of the sickest people in Northern Ireland and at the most vulnerable moments in their lives." Chambers pointed out the practical consequences, stating that "every pound that now has to be spent repairing this damage is a pound taken away from the health service."
With Northern Ireland's health service already under significant pressure and budgets stretched, Chambers described the diversion of resources as "utterly irresponsible" and expressed hope that those responsible would be "identified and held fully accountable."
The incident has reignited debates about historical monuments, political symbolism, and appropriate forms of protest in Northern Ireland, while raising questions about security at public institutions and the allocation of public funds for repair work following acts of vandalism.
