'IRA' Graffiti Daubed On Orange Hall

Republican graffiti has been daubed on an Orange Hall in County Antrim during an overnight attack.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has condemned the graffiti, which was daubed on the exterior of Fourscore Orange Hall outside Glenavy.

The graffiti included 'IRA' slogans and 'Orange scum'. The Orange Order says it is the fourth reported attack on the property so far this year and follows an arson attempt at the Glenavy hall in 2012.

Worshipful Master of Fourscore LOL 340, James Tinsley, said: "This is a sickening hate crime which bears all the hallmarks of a deliberate sectarian attack. Those responsible are acting in isolation and their shameful actions are not reflective of the excellent community relations in the local area. Indeed, the hall is used for many social events attended by both Protestants and Roman Catholics.

"We hope the perpetrators will examine their consciences and realise their actions are not just an attack on our Orange culture and heritage, but the entire population of Glenavy."

DUP South Antrim MP William McCrea has linked the attack to comments made by deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness that a spate of recent hate crimes against Polish families in east Belfast were orchestrated by the UVF and "elements" of the Orange Order.

"Only in the last few days Martin McGuinness disgracefully singled out the Orange Institution without any justification, linking it to the appalling attacks on Polish nationals within Belfast," he said. "Alongside a clear condemnation of these kind of attacks on Orange Halls there should be a full retraction of the kind of comments which would clearly allow some individuals to feel justified in attacking the Institution and its halls only a few days later."

Sinn Féin election candidate Mary Kate Quinn said: "This is the latest in a series of attacks on the Fourscore Orange hall over the past two years. Those behind do not represent this community. Unfortunately over the past week there have also been attacks on the towns GAA club and the local pub.

"There are excellent community relations in the town and the surrounding area and bigots like this will not be allowed to damage this. Those responsible for this latest attack are not republicans. Those who are involved in each of these attacks are sectarian vandals. I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious to report it to the PSNI. These attacks cannot be allowed to continue."

(IT)