Portadown District LOL No.1

Media News 2007

Orange anger as two halls attacked

The Orange Order last night appealed for calm after two attempts to burn down halls in less than 24 hours.

Police are investigating the cause of a fire at Bocombra Orange Hall at the Old Lurgan Road outside Portadown last night.

Tamnificarbet Orange Hall, also close to the town, suffered smoke damage and broken windows after being attacked early yesterday. Tamnificarbet Orange Hall which was damaged by republicans in an arson attack

Tensions were already running high in the Craigavon area, following the discovery of a bomb during police searches on Thursday.

Last night, fire crews from Portadown were called to Bocombra at 7.40pm where they discovered a wheelie bin on fire at the front of the building.

Station Commander Andrew Black said that a window at the back had also been smashed and what he believed was flammable liquid poured in.

"The fire was extinguished quickly. There was quite a lot of smoke damage and some minor damage to the front and rear of the hall."

An Order spokesman said: "We are urging all Orangemen to be vigilant about the security of their premises.

"There is very clearly an orchestrated campaign against our halls at the moment and this is causing us very serious concern. Tamnificarbet Orange Hall smoked damaged after being attacked by republicans

"We would appeal for calm throughout the community and we would call on the police to take whatever steps are necessary to stop these attacks."

Upper Bann DUP MP David Simpson condemned last night's and warned that such "served attacks “served no purpose, because the halls will only be replaced bigger and better than ever".

Another Orange hall damaged in attack

An arson attack on an Orange hall belonging to one of the oldest lodges in Ulster has attracted strong criticism.

Windows were broken and smoke damage caused to Tamnificarbet Hall outside Portadown on Thursday night.

The Hall is home to Tamnificarbet LOL 17, which has been in the area for over 200 years.

Last night, Upper Bann DUP MP David Simpson said: "Unfortunately, there continues to exist this small minority that continues to do this. Some 33 halls have been damaged this year and unfortunately, while the police have every sympathy they cannot be everywhere at the same time."

Mr Simpson speculated that the perpetrators were dissident republicans.

'This seems to be prominent in this area, where dissidents are very active. They are sending out a signal to let us know that they haven't gone away,"

Mr Simpson said that he was hopeful that it would be easier for Orange halls get a Chief Constable's certificate to make claims for compensation caused by damage, after recent discussions with Paul Goggins MP Another Orange Hall damaged in attack

Mark Russell, an independent councillor for Craigavon and member of Tamnificarbet LOL 17, said that the hall was "a place of much community activity, ranging from senior citizen clubs to line dancing classes".

He said: "Also, in the past year the community association has raised over £3,000 for charitable organisations."

Councillor Russell said that the incident represented "an attack on the Protestant community" and was one, which "must be condemned by all".

Last night a PSNI spokesman confirmed that police were investigating the cause of a fire at the Hall. 13th October 2007 News Letter