Queen's image defaced at local Orange Hall

Sectarian graffiti was sprayed on the Orange Hall and a portrait of The Queen, located at the front of the building, was also defaced.

The name of Oglaigh na hEireann was also sprayed on nearby hoardings and nearby business premises were also targeted at the same time.

It is the ninth such attack on Orange property so far this year and the third within the last three weeks.

Alderman James Tinsley said he was disgusted the Queen’s portrait was defaced in the week of her 90th birthday celebrations. “This comes shortly after an attack on another Orange Hall at Glenavy,” said Mr Tinsley. “It is a bit worrying coming up to theTwelfth.

“There are a lot of new houses in the area and this is the last message we want to be sending out.”

Councillor Margaret Tolertonn said she was “shocked” by the vandalism. “We don’t want this in Derriaghy,” she said. “This hall is very well used by the whole community and I would urge anyone who knows anything about the attack to contact the police.”

Councillor Jonathan Craig, who said there was a party planned at the hall to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, also urged anyone with information to contact the police.

“This is a hall that is very much a community facility,” said Mr Craig. “It is used for cross community youth work.

An Orange Order spokesman said: “Those who engage in such premeditated wanton vandalism should be ashamed. It is no coincidence such criminality should occur on the weekend of the Queen’s birthday. Such deliberate contempt for our monarch is contemptible and outrageous. The intolerant and ignorant delinquents behind this attack have nothing to offer.”