Rural Orange Hall Suffers Sectarian Attack

A Co Antrim loyal orders meeting hall has been attacked. The Orange hall near Ballymoney was damaged during a petrol bombing incident.

Several petrol bombs were thrown at the premises at Bravallen Road in the town on Tuesday with scorch damage caused to the front of the hall.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the attack to contact them and have said a number of items were removed for forensic examination.

Commenting, the North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey has condemned the attack on Tullaghans Independent Orange Hall.

Describing it as an attack on the entire community, Mr Storey said: "My understanding is that a total of three petrol were thrown at Tullaghan's Independent Orange Hall.

"This most recent incident is not the first occasion that the Tullaghan's Hall has been subjected to this kind of nakedly sectarian attack.

"There is simply no justification for this sectarian attack whatsoever.

"This is an isolated hall that is used to help give public expression to Protestant faith, identity and culture.

"That it should be targeted in this way is a clear attack upon that community and an attack upon the basic democratic freedom to exist and give public expression to one's identity," he said.

"Those responsible are sending out a clear message that their agenda offers no place whatsoever to anyone from within the Protestant community who gives voice to their identity through the loyal orders."

However, he also said that any such condemnation will only be effective if it is part of a wider acceptance by every political representative of the right of existence and day to day operation of such local lodges: "That will require a change in mindset for some, but it is a change that is needed," he concluded.

The Alliance North Antrim representative Cllr Jayne Dunlop has also condemned the petrol bomb attack on Tuesday.

Cllr Jayne Dunlop said: "This was a sectarian attack carried out by those who no regards for the consequences of their actions.

"Attacks like this raise tensions in the area and do considerable damage to community relations.

"I would urge anybody with any information about this attack to contact the police," she added.

(BMcC/GK)