Police investigating after vehicles set on fire in Markethill Road and Ballymacnab Road areas of Armagh

A PSNI spokesperson said: “At approximately 1.35am a report was received of a lorry on fire in the Markethill Road area.

"A short time later, at approximately 2.25am, a report was received of a car on fire on the Ballymacnab Road.

"Both incidents are being treated as a sectarian related hate crime and as arson and enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with any information or footage that could assist is asked to contact police on 101 quoting 127 of 29/07/24.”

Commenting on the incidents, Armagh SDLP councillor Thomas O'Hanlon said: “This attack is not reflective of the local Mullagbrack/Markethill community who work together for the betterment of everyone. They will be united in the condemnation of this. If anyone has seen anything or knows anything about this, please contact Police on 101.”

Cusher TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe appealed for calm in the Markethill area following Armagh’s All-Ireland win on Sunday. “Despite being a town with close to no affinity to Gaelic sports and culture, for much of Sunday evening and night streams of flag waving, horn blaring vehicles made their way through its streets,” he said.

“Playing of republican music and the shouting from cars added to the intimidatory behaviour, with a number of late night walkers in the town subject to horrendous abuse.

"One vehicle slowed to fire fireworks at a main street public house [and] in the late hours a vehicle that had been left on a verge on the fringe of the town was damaged.

“The TUV unreservedly condemn all criminal behaviour and activity. We would appeal for anyone who does not live in Markethill or district to keep their support for the GAA to their own areas, and ask all not to allow the behaviour of outsiders to harm the existing good community relations.”

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a PSNI vehicle was damaged on Pollock Drive, Lurgan, around 9.20pm on July 28.

In a statement, PSNI Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon said: "This police vehicle is now unavailable to respond to emergency calls in the community.

“If you have any dashcam footage or witnessed this incident please contact police on 101 quoting serial 1777 28/07/24.”