Three youths have been arrested in relation to a hate crime, after verbally abusing a priest and damaging property within a Co Derry church on Saturday.
The three boys, aged 11, 13 and 15, are due to appear in court later this week following the incident at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Magherafelt, which the PSNI are treating the incident as a hate crime.
A PSNI spokesperson told Derry Now that “police received a report of criminal damage to a church in the King Street area of Magherafelt on Saturday afternon, April 23.
“At approximately 4pm, it was reported that three males had entered the building and verbally abused the priest and caused damage to a number of items.
“This is being treated as a hate crime.
“Police attended the scene and subsequently arrested three males aged 11, 13 and 15 on suspicion of a number of offences including criminal damage.
“The 11 and 15-year-old are expected to appear before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 25.
“The 13-year-old male is expected to appear before Magherafelt Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday May 18.
“As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”
