Orangemen abused

As members decorated the town on Tuesday last, ( June 29), motorists shouted republican slogans, while one person threw liquid from a moving car as the group placed bunting outside the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Limavady District Lodge said the incident was a reminder of the intolerance of culture within Limavady. The spokesperson said: "Whilst decorating the town in the run up to the Twelfth of July a number of our members were verbally abused by a small number of motorists shouting republican slogans at them, a number of Brethren were also spat at from moving vehicles on Main Street, while one member had some sort of liquid thrown at him from a moving car."

"This incident took place near to the New Town Hall and Cultural Centre which we have been hearing so much about, in light of this recent event it shows there would appear to be no room for one culture in this town at present."

UUP Councillor Edwin Stevenson condemned the incident and called the actions of those responsible "absolutely scandalous".

"It's down to culture at the end of the day, we have to respect each other's culture and identity and for something like this to happening in the town is absolutely scandalous, it's disgraceful."

"Earlier in the year we had a big display of tri-colours which many were not happy about, but we had to live with it. It's a sign of the times and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much respect in Limavady for the Protestant culture."

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell called the incident "deplorable".

"It is deplorable that even after such a long time of politicial progress in Northern Ireland that there are communities and people who can't express their own culture."

"It is perfectly understandable why these members feel that there is no room for their culture in Limavady. Those people who engage in this abuse, whether it be spitting or verbal, need to understand that there is another cultural identity here in Limavady, and it's going to stay."