'They have no respect' — mum's despair after vandals target baby twins' grave at Balgay Cemetery
A distraught mother has spoken of her outrage after the grave of her twin sons was damaged by vandals.
One of the toppled statues.
- By Jonathan Watson
- Published in the Courier : 02.11.11
- Published online : 02.11.11 @ 10.33am
Fintry mum Tracey Towell said those responsible for causing £1,500 of damage at Balgay Cemetery have ''no respect.''
Six memorials were toppled and more tributes damaged during the wrecking spree, which police say took place between 4pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday.
Tracey, whose sons John and Josh died within 24 hours of birth in 2003, told The Courier she had only learned of the damage after receiving a message on Facebook.
She said: ''One of my friends on Facebook said they had seen it and seconds later I got a phone call confirming that it was my sons' graves.
''I went up there and it wasn't the actual headstone but one of the statues around it. It had just been totally smashed on the path.''
The vandalism is the latest at the cemetery after more than 30 headstones were overturned in August. It is also the second time Tracey has experienced the heartache of vandalism at the site.
''I just cannot understand why anybody would do that,'' she said. ''When I was younger we would not have dreamed of doing anything like that. They have no respect.''
The latest spate of vandalism has outraged Councillor Richard McCready, who has appealed for anybody with information to contact the police.
''These further attacks of vandalism are disgraceful,'' he said. ''Whoever did this should be ashamed of themselves.
''I hope that anyone with information will contact the police. We should not have to have security at a cemetery but I will be speaking to the council to see if there is anything more that can be done to protect the cemetery.
''These acts of vandalism cause a lot of grief.''
Aside from the headstones that were toppled, memorials in the northern part of the burial ground were also destroyed. Two ceramic cherubs, a pair of ceramic angel wings, a blue ceramic vase and a ceramic book engraved with 'Special Mum' were all broken.
A police spokeswoman said: ''This was a particularly despicable incident which understandably causes great upset to relatives who tend to these memorials.
''We would urge anyone who was in the area at the time and who saw anything that could help us to identify those people responsible to contact us immediately.''
Police can be contacted on 0300 111 2222.
11.33am - 02.11.2011 W - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
Disgusting, just disgusting. My wife and I walk round there often, since it is a peaceful place. But acts of such irresponsible vandalism need to be addressed, I just hope someone is punished for this act and that the courier publishes the names of those responsible.
01.30pm - 02.11.2011 Ballumbie Ryan - Dundee, UK Report This
If caught, scum like the cowards who did this should be forced to face the relatives and apologise. They should then be forced to pay for repairs or replacement. Current laws are far to soft on these maggots.
10.54am - 08.11.2011 R Maguire - Dundee, Scotland Report This
If anyone knows anything about those responsible they should report them. The guilty should be forced to pay for the damage and undergo counselling.
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