Orange hall attacked for third time in year

A Kilrea resident whose home, adjoining an Orange hall, was attacked for a third time this year has vowed he will not be forced out of his home.

Ronnie Alexander, who is also Caretaker of the hall belonging to Purple Marksmen LOL 364, was awakened early yesterday morning as a masked figure threw objects at the property's windows.

A gas cylinder was then launched through a pane of glass, smashing a fish tank in the process.

The victim, who suffers from epileptic seizures and has lived in the liking quarters of the Orange hall on the Maghera Road for the past seven years, thought he had seen the end of such behaviour when a similar incident occurred in February.

Speaking to the News Letter, Mr Alexander expressed relief that he himself avoided injury.

"Just after 4arn I was awoken by the sounds of bottles hitting the window;*" he said.

'I saw a person standing outside with a camouflaged jacket and his bee was masked. There may have been more. I do not know.

He threw bottles and cracked be top window. He then unhooked a gas cylinder and put it through bottom pane of glass right into he sitting room.

In doing so, the fish tank sitting below the window was completely sending water every-and all over the carpet, which is now badly damaged."

Mr Alexander issued a message the perpetrators that he remains. "They need to wise up and act their age. It's time to live in peace and stop acting like children. The people concerned should just grow up," he said.

East Londonderry MLA Adrian McQuillan expressed his disgust at the latest twist in a growing trend of attacks on the Orange hall property.

"Each time it has been attacked it has been the living quarters that have been targeted. This is not just property it is somebody's home we are talking about," the DUP man said.

"The people who did this are wasting their time if they think they are going to force the victim out of his home - he was born and reared in the area and is going to stay in Kilrea."

Mr McQuillan also expressed his disappointment at the police response to the incident.

"The 999 call took an hour and 10 minutes to be acted upon," he said.

"We are being told at local DPP meetings that such calls are being answered within 15 minutes. This is not acceptable."

The local representative remained hopeful compensation would be forthcoming in light of new legislation.

Last month, the government announced it would be proposing a new statutory compensation scheme for criminal attacks on community halls. 4th July 2008 News Letter

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