Order hits out at third attack
in same area
The Orange Order last night strongly condemned three
sectarian arson attacks on Orange halls in the Craigavon
area within a few days.
The latest incident happened during the early hours of
yesterday morning at Ballygargan, near Portadown, when
thugs smashed a window at the back and front of the hall,
poured inflammable liquid through the window and set it
alight. Similar incidents took place just two miles away
at Bocombra Hall on Friday night and at Tamnificarbet
Hall on Thursday evening.
Davy Jones, Press officer for Portadown District Lodge,
said extensive smoke damage had been caused to all three
buildings.
"In a way I'm disgusted that there are some people
in the community who feel that they can get some form
of satisfaction at setting fire to Orange halls,"
he said.
"I would be very concerned as to whether there are
any other halls that they are planning to target in future."
Mr Jones said it had been especially upsetting that three
halls within two miles of each other -Seagoe, Bocombra
and Ballygargan Orange Halls - had been targeted by arsonists
recently.
"We believe the attacks are down to sectarian thugs
who have nothing better to do with their time," he
added.
"We feel disgusted and dismayed that there seems
now to be a concerted attack upon Orange property. It's
impossible to see what they think they can gain from this."
Mr Jones asked members of the local community not to
get drawn into the sectarianism.
"We as a district would call on people from our
own community to remain calm, and not to be sucked in
to this sort of violence," he said.
He also said the attacks would place a huge financial
burden on the Orange lodges that were targeted.
"Taking into account that the Orange Order is a voluntary
organisation, it places quite a heavy financial burden
on the lodges who own the halls.
"Having said that, the halls will be repaired and
put back into full working order"
A total of 32 Orange halls have now been attacked across
the Province since July 12 this year with approximately
300 attacked during the past 30 years.
Grand Master Robert Saulters described the attacks as
"a direct assault on Protestant religion and culture".
"It is time all our politicians and other community
leaders and organisations - such as the discredited Parades
Commission -tried to understand the Orange Order and the
central part it plays in the Protestant community,"
he added.
Meanwhile, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have written
to the Secretary of State expressing their "strong
condemnation" of the recent spate of attacks on Orange
halls across the Province.
The First and Deputy First Ministers said a "very
good debate" in the Assembly last month showed unanimous
support from all parties to use their influence to stop
such attacks.
Police also condemned the attacks and said "thorough
investigations" would be carried out.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Portadown District have met
the Strategic Review of Parading Body, chaired by Lord
Ashdown.
The delegation made a written submission and discussed
the Drumcree parade impasse. 16th October 2007 News
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