A number of homes in a Northern Irish village have been sprayed with homophobic and sectarian graffiti.

Police are investigating the incident in the County Londonderry village of Curran.

Three houses were vandalised with the graffiti overnight last night – despite the village’s tiny population of just 132.

Sgt Robinson of Magherafelt police said: “We received reports that three properties in the village had been targeted overnight between Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th December.

“Sectarian and homophobic slogans had been sprayed at the houses.

“We are treating these occurrences as hate incidents and I would ask anyone with any information or anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Curran area to contact officers in Magherafelt on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Reports of homophobic hate crime have risen every year in Northern Ireland for the last nine years – with incidents reported nearly every day.

The owners of London’s cereal cafe recently opened up about their experiences of homophobia in Northern Ireland – the only place in the UK where same-sex couples do not have the right to marry.

Alan and Gary Keery said: “Growing up in Belfast there are a lot of homophobic people and a lot of fights.

“There are amazing people, and it’s come on amazingly, but even now, Northern Ireland is the only place in the UK where gays can’t get married.

“It’s embarrassing for Belfast and Northern Ireland.”

Reminiscing of growing up in the country’s gay scene, the pair recalled: “There was a group of people waiting outside to beat up the gays.”