Outrage as Orange Hall attacked for third time

An Orange Hall in the Stewartstown area has been damaged for the third time while a second attack has occurred on a Mission Hall in a matter of weeks.

A number of windows and a door were broken at Curglassan Mission Hall on the Coagh Road while the Orange Hall had nine windows smashed with what police believe was a stick.

The PSNI say the two incidents are connected and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The damage to the two properties is thought to have been carried out on Saturday night/Sunday morning (July 26 to 27). The incident at Curglassan Mission Hall was reported to the PSNI at 1:15am on Sunday and a short time later police received a report of damage to the Orange Hall in the Stewartstown area.

Two vehicles were seen leaving the area and police are keen to speak to anyone with any information.

The first vehicle is believed to have been a large saloon type car while the second car is smaller, possibly a Peugeot 306 or a Corsa, either black or dark navy.

PSNI Sector Inspector Sue Steen said police are concerned about the attacks and has appealed to the public for assistance.

“Obviously we want to bring these offenders to justice through the courts and I would appeal to the community for their help.

“We condemn these attacks and we believe they have been carried out by people who want to provoke some sort of reaction, but I am confident that this will not be the case,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mid-Ulster MLA Billy Armstrong has condemned the attacks.

The Ulster Unionist representative said he believes there is still an undercurrent of intolerance towards the unionist community and this is manifested by attacks on Orange Halls and churches.

“Once again I find myself condemning the actions of sectarian thugs who seem to derive satisfaction from attacking property.

“I have no doubt that such attacks are being carried out by some individuals from the republican community, and it is to the wider republican community that I would appeal to help identify the people responsible and provide the police with the information they require to bring these people before the courts,” he said.

He added that attacks of this nature are hate crimes committed by cowards and have no place in society.

DUP MLA for Mid-Ulster Ian McCrea has condemned those responsible for the attacks as ‘mindless bigots with no respect for anyone.’

“These attacks are part of a sinister campaign of sectarian hate on the part of some ‘hoods’ against the faith and heritage of the Protestant people,” he said.

“Regrettably it is not that unusual to hear of an attack on an Orange Hall but to hear of attacks on places of worship such as Curglasson Mission Hall is a total disgrace and this shows that the bigoted actions of a few will sink to the lowest of depths,” he added.

Cllr McCrea went on to say at an Assembly debate a number of months ago Sinn Fein acknowledged that attacks on Orange Halls are sectarian and to be condemned.

“Therefore I believe it is now time for Sinn Fein to condemn these attacks not only on an Orange Hall but also on a place of worship that is held dear to many Christian people.

“I would call upon all public representatives irrespective of their political ideology to condemn this wicked campaign of hate waged against the Protestant people,” he said.

And he encouraged people in the Stewartstown and Curglasson area to report any suspicious activity they may have seen on Saturday night/Sunday morning to the PSNI. 31st July 2008 Mid Ulster Mail Online

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