Neo-nazi vandals in church attack

A church in County Londonderry has been vandalised with an neo-Nazi slogan.

'C18', which alludes to the extreme far right Combat 18 organisation, was painted across a gable wall at St Mary's Oratory in New Buildings.

The parish priest, Father Aidan Mullan, described the incident, which took place on Thursday night, as "disturbing".

"I'm told Combat 18 is a breakaway group from the National Front in the UK," he said.

"They were more right wing, and someone has also suggested that they have association with some paramilitaries.

"It is sinister if the 18 represents neo-Nazi prejudice and bigotry, which is a frightening thing."

It is understood the 18 refers to first and eighth letters of the alphabet, A and H - Adolf Hitler's initials.