Appeal for calm after Orange hall attacked

A north Antrim community has been urged not to retaliate after a second attack on an Orange hall in the area.

Windows were smashed and a container of flammable liquid was thrown inside Drumlee Orange hall on Monday night, leading to ears in the local community that is being deliberately targeted in a dissident republican campaign. The hall, located between Ballymoney and Rasharkin, came under paint-bomb attack and had a window broken in February this ear.

Nearby Orange halls in Garryduff and Rasharkin have also been piant-bombed and damaged on a umber of occasions in recent months.

The latest incident comes at a me when tensions have been lightened in Rasharkin after a series of attacks on Protestant homes prompting one man to say I would move out of the town which has been his home for nearly 30 years.

Attacks have also been carried out against people with links to Sinn Fein, including the party's North Antrim Assembly member, Daithi McKay.

Yesterday, DUP MLA Mervyn Storey called for no retaliation after the second attack on Drum lee Orange Hall and expressed concerns dissident republicans are attempting to "stir things up" ahead of the marching season.

Describing it as a "sinister development", he said: "People have been seen acting suspiciously around Orange halls at a time of the year when they are being increasingly used by the community for things like lodge meetings and band practice. "My fear is some dissident element could be out to 'take a scalp', and I would urge people to be vigilant around halls - but at the same time I want the community to remain as calm as possible and there should be no retaliation.

"These attacks on Orange halls, which are community buildings, are despicable. These dissident elements must be closed down and Sinn Fein needs to do more to help the police."

His condemnation was shared by fellow party member, John Finlay. - The local councillor said it was fortunate the container of flammable liquid did not ignite and cause serious damage to a community building, which is "causing offence to no one".

"Clearly, the intention was to stir up more strife in the community and I have no doubt the people responsible for this attack are connected with the ongoing attacks and blatant thuggery in Rasharkin," he said.

"They represent nobody and are just trying to stir up more tension.

"These people have no place in any society." 29th April 2009 News Letter

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