Portadown District LOL No.1

Media News 2007

Order hits out at Orde over attacks on halls

The Orange Order's call for action against attacks on rural Orange halls could have widespread political repercussions, a spokesman has admitted.

Grand Secretary Drew Nelson said compensation was only released if the attacks can be blamed on illegal organisations.

He said the reluctance of the Chief Constable to blame organisations on ceasefire threatened that compensation.

Following two more attacks on isolated Orange halls in Co Armagh - three in less than a week -Mr Nelson said a change in legislation was required to properly compensate halls ravaged by vandals and arsonists.

Mr Nelson was speaking at Orange Order headquarters in east Belfast after four youths were arrested in relation to the latest attacks, this time on Mullantur and Carnagh Orange halls, near Keady.

Mr Nelson said the Order had been let down by both the Government and the police in dealing with some 271 attacks on Northern Ireland's ' Orange halls over the past 20 years.

He admitted though -that he believed the changes required could have-widespread political repercussions.

He said the then Secretary of State Peter Hain gave an undertaking in February to address the issue of criminal damage legislation for attacks on isolated rural properties but "that has never been honoured".

Mr Nelson said: "If any property is burned the Government will pay compensation, provided it's done by an illegal organisation and it's up to the Chief Constable to certify that it's been an illegal organisation.

"During the past few years he has certified hardly any one of these attacks as having been done by an illegal organisation."

Mr Nelson intimated if the Chief Constable named a group declared to be on ceasefire it could have widespread political repercussions.

He added: "The police have vast technical resources at their disposal which we feel they should deploy. There have been only four convictions for 271 attacks on Orange halls."

In a statement, the police said: "All reports of arson or criminal damage to Orange halls are investigated robustly and thoroughly. The majority of these incidents are investigated as incidents of criminal damage or arson but if they are perceived as being motivated by religious hatred we would classify them as hate crime.

"The Chief Constable is on record as attributing blame to proscribed organisations when it is proven and proportionate on-a number of occasions."

The four arrests were made following attacks on the two halls near Ready Scorch damage was caused at Carnagh on Tuesday night and damage was then discovered at Mullantur yesterday morning.

Police confirmed last night that three of the individuals - two aged 17 and one aged 19 - had been charged with arson in relation to the incident at Carnagh.
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The youths were ejected to appear at Newry Magistrates Court this morning. It's understood that a 19-year-old was released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

Major damage was caused to Crosskeys Orange Hall, also near Keady, on Friday night.

The attacks were condemned by local DUP MLA William Irwin. He branded the perpetrators "cowards with nothing to offer society". 12th July 2007 News Letter

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