Portadown District LOL No.1

Media News 2007

Second arson attack on Orange Hall

Police in Northern Ireland were today investigating another suspicious fire at an Orange Hall.

A hall belonging the Protestant organisation suffered smoke damage and charring to the floor on the Glenavy Road in Lisburn, Co Antrim, at around 4.30am.

The latest incident came on the back of claims by the Orange Order yesterday that its property is being targeted in an orchestrated campaign of sectarian arson attacks.

Ballyworkan Orange Hall on the Tandragee Road in Portadown, Co Armagh, was also targeted this weekend. Its windows were smashed, petrol was poured in and was set alight.

An Orange Order spokesperson accused the Northern Ireland Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland of playing down the possibility of their being a deliberate campaign attack the organisation's property.

The Portadown attack was, however, condemned by Northern Ireland Office security minister Paul Goggins and Ulster Unionists deputy leader Danny Kennedy.

Police investigating the Lisburn incident today appealed to members of the public to come forward with information, particularly about the activities of two men in a dark coloured car who were seen acting suspiciously near the hall.

The attacks were condemned by Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey who called for the police and NIO to take action against those responsible.

Sir Reg said there was too much complacency about the response to the threat the opponents of the powersharing posed to stability.

"The Loyal Orders face obstacles in obtaining compensation for these attacks.

"I have called on Shaun Woodward to change the law immediately to make it easier for claims to be paid for this destruction. So far the NIO [Northern Ireland Office] has taken no action.'

"I also called on the chief constable to take a more sympathetic approach to issuing Chief Constable's certificates, which are essential if compensation is to be forthcoming." 16th December 2007 Ireland.com online news

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