Sectarian attacks on Orange halls
Two Orange halls in Co. Tyrone have been attacked during the past month, one of them by republicans and the other by so-called 'loyalist' elements.
Both the Orange Halls are in the Castlederg area -Bridgetown and Lislaird -and the action has shocked and dismayed local people and politicians.
The incident at Lislaird, near Castlederg, involved the scrawling of republican slogans on the wall of the Orange Hall.
This was believed to be sectarian.
In the other incident, graffiti was scrawled on the walls of Bridgetown Orange Hall in the centre of Castlederg.
According to police, loyalist slogans were spray-painted on the building in two-inch high black letters.
West Tyrone UUP, MLA, Derek Hussey, described it as an "uncalled for and despicable action"
Bro. Hussey, also a Castlederg councillor, said members of the local Orange lodge immediately began a clean-up operation on discovering the vandalism.
Stressing that it was not possible at this time to say who was responsible, Bro. Hussey called on anyone with information to pass it on to the police.
The PSNI who are investigating both incidents, say they do not believe the Bridgetown Orange Hall one was sectarian.
An Orange Hall in Co. Down, meanwhile, which was re-built after an arson attack four years ago, has been under attack by vandals.
The hail is at Ballywillwill, near Castlewellan, and recently it was the target for a paint attack.
The worshipful master of the Ballywillwill lodge, Bro. John McBride said: "We have cleaned the paint off the door but there is still some on the walls, and it is clear someone does not want the hall there.
"We do no harm to anyone, and we hope to put this behind us," he added.
Down DUP Councillor, Bro. Jim Wells called the attack "soul destroying" for brethren. He said: "This is a despicable act, particularly given that the hall was burned to the ground four years ago, and now it has been attacked again.
"The hall and its members are a threat to no-one in the area, and this is their reward.
"There are certain people in the community who will know who carried out this attack, and I would ask for them to come forward,” added Bro Wells. Orange Standard December 2004 - January 2005
Click on the related links below
Armagh Orange hall attacked
