13/11/2014

Order Meets Gardaí

Senior members of the Orange Institution have met with a senior Garda officer to discuss recent arson attacks which destroyed two Orange halls in Co Donegal.

Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson, and Grand Secretary, Drew Nelson, met to discuss an upsurge in attacks on Orange Order property in the county with Assistant Commissioner Kieran Kenny.

The Order said a total of 16 Orange halls have been targeted in various attacks so far this year, including two in the Republic of Ireland.

The meeting follows separate attacks on halls in Newtowncunningham on 14 September and Convoy on 3 October.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Stevenson said: "This was an extremely useful meeting with Assistant Commissioner Kenny, where we outlined our deep concern and that of our members in Newtowncunningham and Convoy regarding the deliberate destruction of Orange property in the Donegal area.

"Those responsible must not be allowed to succeed as both halls acted as social hubs and served all sections of the wider community.

The Grand Master has thanked the Assistant Commissioner for facilitating the meeting and appealed for anyone with information in relation to the respective hall attacks to contact Gardai immediately.

Mr Nelson revealed the Institution also intends to meet with Irish Justice and Equality Minister Frances Fitzgerald regarding the matter in the coming weeks.

He said: "We will be putting the case to the Irish Government very strongly that there is an obligation and responsibility on their part to liaise with the affected lodges. They must explore with them all funding opportunities that are available to ensure all possible means of aid and assistance are taken into consideration."

(IT/CD)

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