Orange hall damaged in explosion

Police are investigating an explosion at an Orange hall in the County Tyrone village of Pomeroy. Below - Police have cordoned off the area surrounding the hall

The incident was reported to police at 0830 GMT on Friday.

Richard Reid, who is a trustee of Bawn Orange Hall, said those behind the attack forced their way in with a sledgehammer.

"A fire was started in the front porch but more sinister, some sort of explosive device appears to have gone off within the main hall."

Mr Reid said this had caused "considerable damage to internal structures together with blowing a hole in the roof, lifting the rear of the roof up off the walls and blowing through the slates".

DUP assembly member Ian McCrea said those responsible were fascists.

"Those responsible for this attempt to destroy property and possibly even lives are motivated solely by sectarian hatred for the Protestant community in this area," he said.

Sinn Féin MLA Michelle O'Neill said such attacks "only set back community relations".

"In recent months there have been attacks on Orange Halls and GAA clubs alike. Both are equally as wrong and need to be brought to a stop immediately."

The SDLP's Patsy McGlone also condemned the attack.

"Somebody clearly wants to step up the sectarian tension in this round of tit-for-tat burnings," said the assembly member.

"Bigots with petrol are bad enough, but bigots with explosives are a lot worse so we are going to need more protection on all community facilities."

The Pomeroy Road, on which Bawn Orange Hall is situated, has been closed and diversions are in place.

Anyone who was in the area late on Thursday night or early on Friday morning is asked to contact the police. 14th November 2008 BBC Online News

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