Dear Sir, - I wish to respond to the DUP councillor for Erne East, Paul Robinson, who condemned the vandalism of a memorial to two IRA terrorists who were killed in an attack on Brookeborough barracks in 1957.

At the outset I want to make clear that I believe the rule of law must be upheld at all times and there is no place for criminal activity, such as vandalism, in our society.

Having said that I want to make a number of points regarding Councillor Robinson's position.

Firstly, I find it utterly bizarre that a DUP elected representative seeks to defend this terrorist memorial situated at Altawark crossroads assuming that he supports his Party's position to build a 'Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre' at the site of the old Maze Prison.

No one should be under any illusion that this Sinn Fein/DUP proposal will result in anything other than a shrine to terrorism at that sensitive location and Councillor Robinson should reflect on that.

Secondly, I find the stance of Councillor Robinson in calling this attack sectarian in nature to be completely lacking in balance.

What could be more sectarian than attacking a police station as Sean South and Fergal O'Hanlon did in their role as part of a republician terrorist grouping which murdered many innocent people?

To equate this vandalism with a similar attack on, for example a cenotaph, is utterly reprehensible and cannot go unchallenged.

Lastly, in an attempt to deflect attention from their appalling proposals for the Maze site Councillor Robinson's Party have recently made quite a fuss about the role which others should have in removing illegal roadside terrorist shrines.

However, to substantiate and legitimise illegal terrorist memorials as Councillor Robinson has done further illustrates the illogical position he now finds himself in.

� Yours faithfully, Victor Warrington