FORMER SDLP LEADER Colum Eastwood has said graffiti which appeared on the Free Derry Corner wall overnight “seeks to hurt and traumatise the Bloody Sunday families”.

The local landmark has recently been the subject of community work to restore and protect it, and it was bare as a result.

Overnight, graffiti was daubed on the landmark reading: “KAT 13-0.”

“Taig” is a derogatory term used towards Catholics in Northern Ireland, and it’s understood “KAT” means “kill all taigs”.

Meanwhile, the figure of 13 is understood to be a reference to the 13 people who were shot dead on Bloody Sunday.

Bloody Sunday, when the British Army’s Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Derry on 30 January 1972, is regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles.

Eastwood, an MP for Foyle which covers Derry, remarked that the Free Derry Wall has become a “community canvass, drawing attention to civil rights issues at home and abroad for decades”.

“The hateful, sectarian graffiti that has appeared overnight is disgusting,” he added.

“It seeks to hurt and traumatise the Bloody Sunday families who have fought so long for justice and who deserve the support and compassion of everyone in our city.

“Those responsible for this attempt to inflict further pain on those families are sick.

He appealed to anyone with information on the incident to make contact with the PSNI.

Meanwhile, the PSNI said it is treating the incident as a “sectarian motivated hate crime” and that an investigation is now underway.

A spokesperson said a passing police patrol noticed the graffiti on shortly before 1.30am overnight.

The PSNI has appealed to anyone with information or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area to get in touch.