Orange brethren condemn attacks on halls

ORANGE Order Brethren in Londonderry and Limavady districts have condemned the rash of attacks on Orange Halls over the past week in the Tyrone area.

Three halls were attacked over the weekend. On Saturday morning, an attempt was made to break into Dergina Orange Hall near Ballygawley and graffiti was daubed on the building. A few miles away, graffiti was painted on Mullnahunch Orange Hall, while on Sunday morning an attempt was made to set fire to Strawletterdallon Orange Hall on the Newtownstewart to Plumbridge Road and later in the evening a second attempt was made to set fire to Strawletterdallon Hall, but was serious damage to the building was prevented by the prompt action of a passerby, who reported seeing the fire.

The Grand Master of City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, Victor Wray, has reiterated his call for attacks on Orange Halls to cease.

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A fortnight ago, he condemned the attack on Kirkpatrick Memorial Hall in Beragh, saying it was "an attack on Protestant Culture".

Stressing that Orange halls served and were liberally used both sides of the community and open to all groups, he said the latest attacks in Newtownstewart were the work of "mindless people who do not want to play a positive role in the society in which they live".

Urging anyone with information to go to the police, he said: "Retaliation is not how to deal with these attacks. The Orange Order has always said that it is by giving information to the police that culprits are apprehended and taken to court. This is the only way forward."

Meanwhile, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has expressed alarm at the upsurge in attacks on Orange Halls in Tyrone.

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George Duddy, Deputy County Grand Master, Londonderry, said:"Any attack on any Orange Hall in any part of county is concerning and to be totally condemned.

"The fact that there very few people are ever made amenable is also concerning, and suggests the community from which they come from isn't giving full support to the police in as far as information is concerned to catch those responsible.

"Attacks of this nature are also attacks on the Unionist community and are also to be totally condemned. They show there is very little support for a shared future for the Protestant community by those who perpetrate these attacks, or those who send them out to carry out such attacks."

Drew Nelson, Grand Secretary, of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: "A passing motorist saw smoke coming from the hall around 9.00am and raised the alarm. Without his quick thinking, the hall would probably have been burned to the ground.

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"A tyre was placed at the emergency exit at the rear of the building and set on fire. Oil had been poured over the tyre to accelerate the fire. We are very fortunate the hall was not destroyed.

"This hall is used by all sections of the community, including dancing classes, a Young Farmers Club, a Faith Mission and a local community group. On Saturday night about 20 members of the local Junior Orange Lodge met in the building.

"Last week a number of windows in the hall were smashed. We are very concerned about the upsurge in attacks in Tyrone. It seems too much of a co-incidence that we have had three halls attacked in the county over the weekend. We believe there is a degree of organisation behind these attacks that points towards republican paramilitary activity. "This may be an attempt by republicans to stir up sectarian strife and we would appeal to everyone to keep calm and report any knowledge they have to the police. We would also appeal to the police to devote more resources to the detection of those responsible for these attacks," he said.

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, said: "The recent attacks on Orange Halls in County Tyrone are to be outrightly condemned". He continued, "These attacks cause great distress. If their intention is to damage good community relationships I am confident that they will not succeed".

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Commenting on the arson attempts, Chief Inspector Andy Lemon said: "We would condemn what is a senseless attack on an important rural facility used by the whole community.

"It was fortunate that a passing member of the public noticed the arson incident and, thanks to quickly raising the alarm, no doubt prevented further damage. I would congratulate this person for their actions.

"Anyone with information about this incident should come forward to police without delay," he said.

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