London, Europe Brief News – The actor James Nesbitt was subjected to a hate crime, with police has opened an investigation into the incident.
The graffiti, written on a wall on Bushmills Road in Portrush, County Londonderry, featured a message mentioning the actor and had a crosshair painted next to it.
The incident came weeks after James Nesbitt addressed a forum in Dublin discussing a united Ireland.
Politicians have condemned the message and have described it as an attempt to intimidate and stifle debate.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician Gregory Campbell said. “Jimmy Nesbitt is a local lad who has invested in his own community.
“Those painting threatening graffiti such as this should stop,” said the MP, in whose East Londonderry constituency the graffiti was daubed.
“Their actions are wrong!
“I fundamentally disagree with Mr Nesbitt’s position on Northern Ireland’s future. But he has every right to express his political views in whatever forum he wishes.”
Writing on Twitter, former Northern Ireland First Minister Dame Arlene Foster said. “I totally condemn this attack on James Nesbitt even though I fundamentally disagree with him.”
Police believe the graffiti occured on the wall sometime between 17:00 BST on Tuesday and 19:30 BST on Wednesday.
They further want anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
