Three memorials in east Belfast have been damaged in a series of incidents over the past three days.

A republican memorial garden in the Short Strand area was targeted in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Those responsible posted videos of the act on social media.

A paint attack was then carried out on a memorial on the Lower Newtownards Road. The following morning, a mural dedicated to hunger striker Mickey Devine was also vandalised in the Short Strand.

Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey described the attacks as equally reprehensible. She said places of remembrance should be treated as sacrosanct, regardless of who they commemorate.

Hargey stated she believes the damage stems from young people provoking one another online. She appealed for the behaviour to stop immediately, describing it as reckless and childish.