Family members have spoken out about their disgust that someone urinated or vomited on the memorial for victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack, before the official opening.
Caroline Curry from South Shields was the mother of Liam, her 19-year old son, and Chloe Rutherford (17), who were both killed in the explosion. She said that she felt devastated by the intrusions into the compound.
22 people were killed and hundreds were injured in an horrific terror attack carried out by suicide bomber Salman Abedi after an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.
Manchester’s Glade of Light memorial was established to offer a tranquil place of reflection and remembrance for the loved ones of those who have tragically lost their lives.
Families have told of their ‘disgust’ after trespassers urinated and vomited on the Glade of Light memorial site in Manchester’s city centre (pictured)
It was was created to provide a ‘tranquil place’ of ‘remembrance and reflection’ for families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives and features the names of the 22 victims (pictured)
Liam Curry (left), and Chloe Rutherford (17) were both South Shields residents who were leaving the Ariana Grande concert. Kelly Brewster (32) from Sheffield tragically died after entering the City Room. This foyer is the Arena’s main entrance.
Although the garden is closed to the public, hundreds of people have been walking in it despite the fact that it was not open until the New Year.
Ms Curry said one man stood on the central stone of the memorial, which contains the names of those who lost their lives, and was ‘abusive when she challenged him, whilst another woman vomited over the site’, she told the BBC.
Manchester City Council sent an emergency response team to guard the area until it could be investigated fully on Monday.
Kelly Brewster, 32-years old, of Sheffield, died tragically after entering the City Room, foyer of Arena. She was there seven seconds before Salman Abedi, a suicide bomber, detonated his homemade rucksack bomb on May 22, 2017 at 10.31pm.
Standing just nine meters away, she sustained unsurvivable injuries in her head and abdomen. This was one of 22 deaths at the City Room.
Her sister, Claire, who also was hurt in the blast, said she was ‘devastated’ to see people moving the fences to walk cut through the site after she arrived in Manchester on Sunday.
Ms Curry and Mrs Brewster joined forces on Sunday in an effort to keep as many people off the site.
Manchester City Councillor Pat Karney said they will do what is needed to ‘keep the site secure’ and there is ‘no excuse for the kind of behaviour in and around the memorial site witnessed by the bereaved relatives’.
The Glade of Light features a white marble ‘halo’ ring, which stands at the centre of the site and has the names of those who lost their lives set in bronze.
Ms Curry stated that one man stood at the center of the memorial and took advantage of her challenge by challenging him.
Pat Karney, Manchester City Councillor said that they would do whatever it takes to “keep the site safe”.
They will be provided with personalised memories capsules filled with mementoes and memories by loved ones, and they will be embedded in the halo-shaped rock.
Sir Richard Leese of Manchester Council, who is the leader, stated in September that Manchester would never forget those who died on May 22, 2017 and anyone so deeply affected by these terrible events.
“This memorial promises to be an exquisite tribute to them. It will also serve as a space for reflection and memory and become a permanent part of the city’s fabric.
Greater Manchester Police has been reached for comment.