Paint attack ‘one of the worst’

General Secretary of the Apprentice Boys, Billy Moore, has demanded action by the police to try and identify those who threw the paint bombs, and revealed that the ABOD would be raising the issue of protection of the building when they meet senior members of the PSNI in the coming week.

Shocked by the ferocity of the attack, Mr Moore said: “This is the second consecutive weekend that paint bombing has taken place, and the most recent attack is probably one of the worst such attacks that has ever taken place on the Memorial Hall.”

“It is tragic that this type of thing still takes place in this city, given that we are approaching the City of Culture 2013, whenever people are supposed to show tolerance and respect for the different cultures and traditions that exist. It is very sad that there are mindless morons in society who cannot accept that Protestant culture ha a right to exist in the city of Londonderry,” he said.

“I appeal to the PSNI to take more robust action in dealing with the perpetrators who think this type of behaviour is acceptable. This area is surrounded by CCTV cameras. Surely there must be some means of discovering the identity of those involved by using the camera coverage.

“When you look at the number of paint bombs involved in this latest attack it is apparent that there were a number of people involved and that in all probability they were standing on the walls during the attack. There is no way this could have been caused by people lobbing paint-filled missiles over the Walls at the Hall. There may well be CCTV coverage of those involved, and while they may be wearing masks, their clothing could well make identification more simple.

“We are meeting the PSNI and I can reveal that we have a meeting arranged for the coming week and at that meeting we will be expressing our concern and our anger,” he said.

Past City Grand Master of the City Grand Orange Lodge, Victor Wray, called on “right-minded people” in the population to work with the authorities to try and eradicate attacks on places of Protestant culture and tradition.

“I am calling on those people in the community who have influence with those who carry out these attacks to do what they can to explain the importance of all cultures and traditions living and working side by side in harmony,” he said.

“This is the second attack on this wonderful piece of architecture in less than a fortnight, and given that we live in a shared city and we are approaching the City of Culture, a time when we should be showing all that is best and diverse and colourful, these type of attacks do nothing to enhance our image at home and further afield,” Mr Wray said.

“Like other groups in the city the members of the City Grand Orange Lodge have been working tirelessly to promote their culture in a positive and inclusive way. We know it is not responsible people in the community who are carrying out these attacks, but we would call on them to do all in their power to help stop those who do carry out these type of attack,” he said.

DUP Alderman April Garfield-Kidd condemned the paint bombing saying: “This is a historical building full of architecture, craftsmanship and culture. It is an important feature in the history of our city and a ‘must see’ on many of our local tours which take place on The City Walls.

“This attack is one of many in recent weeks and is certainly not presenting the ‘all inclusive’ image that the people are trying to promote for the forthcoming UK City of Culture. At a time when investment and infrastructure is undergoing investment in the city, and we are trying to attract jobs and businesses, this is certainly not the public image that is helpful,” she said.