Latest attack on Glenavy Orange Hall condemned

THERE was widespread condemnation of the arson attack on Glenavy Protestant Hall, the fourth such attack on the building this year.

Nationalist politicians, as well as unionists, hit out strongly at the latest incident.

Sinn Fein MLA for South Antrim Mitchel McLaughlin and SDLP councillor Pat Catney both slammed those behind the attack at the hall, which was set alight in the early hours of Monday morning causing damage to the walls the facade as well as smoke damage to the interior of the building.

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Pat Catney called the arsonists fascist and spoke of his disgust that a building that is used by both sides of the community was being attacked in this way.

“This is not only an attack on the hall but the community as well,” he said. “I am disgusted. This is carried out by a number of small minded people. You spend all your time working within the community for only this to happen. There is a lot of good community work happening out there. People obviously do not understand the workings of the Orange Order. If people don’t understand then stop attacking their buildings.”

He continued, “This seems to be part of an on-going campaign which is totally unacceptable. These attacks must stop, as they do nothing but damage our own community and cost the ratepayers.

“The shameful actions of those responsible are not reflective of the views of the wider community in Glenavy and I would urge people to be respectful of other people’s beliefs, culture and property.

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“We must work together to improve our communities. These attacks do nothing but to heighten tensions.”

Mr McLaughlin said: “The attempted burning down of the Glenavy Orange hall is nothing but a sectarian action which is to be condemned outright.

“It is the fourth attack on this hall in a number of months and serves no purpose but to heighten tensions and attempt to damage the good community relations in the town.”

Tyres were set against the front door of the hall and set alight during the early hours of Monday morning. The doors of the property were destroyed in the incident.

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The sectarian attack comes after the Glenavy hall was targeted by arsonists in August when two wheelie bins were set on fire, in July it was targeted by paint bombers in July and it was attacked in February.

Councillor for the area and Orange Order spokesperson James Tinsley said that he had received much support from locals who visited the building when he was there helping to clear up the damage.

“Many people have come to us genuinely disgusted and shocked by the incident,” he said. “Surely someone knows something, They had to be there for a length of time surely they would have missed them form their home. It is a very small minority that are doing this.”

Fire crews said that hosereel jet and a covering jet were used to extinguish the blaze and the scene was handed over to PSNI for investigation.

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An Orange Order spokesman said: “This latest deliberate attack in Glenavy – the third since the Twelfth - appears to be part of an ongoing campaign which is becoming more serious and sinister in its nature against the Orange culture and heritage in south Antrim.

“Given the recent spate of attacks on Orange property across the Province, we would urge the police to devote more resources towards the prevention and detection of such hate crime against the Protestant community.”

The Glenavy incident is the second attack on Orange property within the space of a week.

Last Tuesday, thieves attempted to steal lead from the roof of Drumlough Orange Hall near Rathfriland.

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Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the property after water entered the building as a result. Clifton Street Orange Hall in Belfast also sustained damage following a paint bomb attack earlier this month.

Lagan Valley TUV press officer Samuel Morrison: “Last night’s attack on Glenavy Protestant Hall is the fourth this calendar year and the third since the 12th of July.

“The destruction of the doors and smoke damage to the hall will be deeply disappointing to the minority population of the village.

“It is important to stress that this was not just an attack on the Orange Order but on the entire Protestant community. As well as being used by the Loyal Orders, the hall hosts a local prayer meeting and other events which are important to Protestants.

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“Given that incidents like this have happened three times in the last four months it is obvious that there is a sustained campaign against those who use the hall. I would encourage anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI. It is imperative that those responsible are brought to justice. This cannot be allowed to continue.

“While we hear much talk about “peace” it is evident that there is great deal of intolerance towards anything associated with Protestantism. It is imperative that all political parties don’t just condemn this attack but also dissociate themselves from the campaign against the Loyal Orders which breeds such hatred.”

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