Republicans burn Ballyrea Orange Hall
An Orange Hall in Armagh has been extensively damaged in an arson attack. The fire at Ballyrea Orange Hall, Baltarran Road, Armagh, happened at 0200 GMT on Tuesday 23rd March 2004. Police believe a side window was used to get into the building. Republicans then set fire to the hall. A passing motorist spotted the flames and raised the alarm. No-one was in the hall at the time.
The building's roof collapsed in the fire. It was last used for an Ulster Scots night on Saturday. Like many Orange halls doted around the province the local Protestant community used the hall for social gatherings. This was not only an attack on a Orange hall, this was a republican attack on the entire Protestant population in the area of Ballyrea.
Even though the Orange Hall was gutted and the four walls are only standing with the intense heat of the fire. The Lodge's Bible remained intact with some scorch damage. Praise the Lord, my friend, God's divine word was all that remained. Maybe not now, but sometime in the future, those who crept like thieves in the darkness of the night intent on destroying Ballyrea Orange Hall, will have to stand in judgment and answer for their crime. There shall be no escape.
Democratic Unionist assembly member Paul Berry said it was "clearly a sectarian attack". "It is sad that in days like this, when we are told there is a so-called peace process, that the Protestant/unionist culture is being attacked," he said. "This is a very well respected lodge and the community is determined to rise to this. This is a clear attack on their culture and heritage. There are still thugs who want to destroy every trace of that," he said. "It seems to be happening every now and again. We had the attack around a year ago on the Orange hall in Loughgall. There seems to be a campaign by some individuals. "It is sad that this has happened because these halls are for everybody, including the elderly and the young in the community."
Ulster Unionist assembly member Danny Kennedy also described the arson attack as sectarian. "This is not the first time we have witnessed this kind of sectarian attack on Protestant culture," he said. "There have been a spate of similar attacks in recent times."
Ballyrea Orange Hall has been the subject of many republican attacks over the years. In 1916 when many where away fighting the first World war and when many died at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 the hall was set on fire and totally gutted. In 1916 the hall was rebuilt and in 2004 the hall shall again be rebuilt. The hall was originally constructed 106 years ago.
Police in Armagh have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 37523311 or at the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.
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