"A blatant display of sectarian
hatred"
DUP First Minister Ian Paisley last night said he was
deeply concerned about attacks on Orange halls which have
the hallmarks of a blatant sectarian hate campaign against
the Protestant community.
Following a visit to Ballyworkan in Upper Bann, the scene
of a weekend attack - and a meeting with Security Minister
Paul Goggms -he said: "This is not a simple matter
of vandalism. It is a blatant display of sectarian hatred
against the heart of a community.
'This behaviour should not be tolerated by any element
within our society.
"It must be unreservedly condemned."
The MP said "individuals who are intent on stirring
up sectarian division" were responsible and must
not succeed.
These people had "a deep-seeded hatred for all things
Protestant" but are a minority, he said.
The incidents - nearly 30 this year - come at a time
when the Orange Order has embarked upon a programme of
education to deal with the misconstrued ideas about the
Order, he added.
He said: "The Northern Ireland Office also has a
significant role to play in the restoration of Orange
halls which suffer attack.
"These are clearly sectarian attacks but for government
compensation to be forthcoming there must be a Chief Constable's
Certificate.
"There are numerous halls around Northern Ireland
which are currently not fit for purpose because of sectarian
attacks yet compensation is slow and in some cases non-existent.
"This is a reserved [Westminster] matter and I would
call on the Secretary of State to take the action which
the DUP has long advised.
"There are a number of mechanisms which would streamline
the compensation process. This has been under consideration
for a number of months but the time has come for action.
"Orange halls are a focal point in their communities.
The use of Orange halls extends well beyond Loyal Order
activities.
"I have discussed these issues with the Security
Minister and I look forward to the NIO delivering on this
matter which demands urgent attention."
DUP Culture Minister Edwin Foots said nationalists and
republican representatives had a responsibility to address
the issue, not just in statements of condemnation but
in actual on the ground backing. 18th December 2007
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