Politicians unite to condemn arson bid on rural Orange hall
AN arson attack on an Orange hall near Newry has brought cross-community condemnation.
Tyres were piled against the rear of Altnaveigh Orange hall and set on fire.
The roof of the isolated rural building was damaged and the inside was also affected by smoke.
The hall dates back to 1884. It is the third arson attack on the property in the last 21 years.
Sinn Fein Assembly candidate for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy condemned those responsible.
“The attack on Altnaveigh Orange hall was wrong and I condemn it,” he said.
“Thankfully no one was injured in this incident.
“Attacks of this nature serve no purpose whatsoever and are not representative of the local area.”
The incident was reported to police shortly after 7.15pm on Saturday when a passer-by spotted the blaze.
The Orange Order said it was the third attack on a hall in Northern Ireland this year.
A spokesman said the local lodge was “disgusted”.
He added: “This is a truly sickening incident and one which clearly had a clear sectarian motive.
“The moronic, hate-filled individuals responsible are a blight on the local community and ought to be ashamed of their actions.
“Such naked bigotry should not be acceptable, yet the continuous cycle of attacks on Orange property is reflective of the unending demonisation of the institution, still very much prevalent in today’s society. This is intolerable and must not be allowed to continue.”
The Altnaveigh hall was the target of arson attacks in 1996 and 2005, and has been subjected to numerous acts of vandal- ism throughout the years. The building contains a memorial plaque to prominent members of the lodge who were murdered during the Troubles, and an Orange parade is held every year to commemorate the massacre of Protestants in the area in 1922.
The Order’s spokesman praised the actions of Fire Ser- vice personnel, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
He added: “This really is a despicable action and we would call on all to condemn the attack and provide the PSNI with any information that may assist their investigation.”
The UUP’s Danny Kennedy said it was clearly aimed at stirring up tension.
“I condemn this hate crime, which is deliberately timed by some republicans to raise tensions in the area in the run-up to the election,” he said.
“The strategic position of Altnaveigh and its history clearly continues to play on the twisted and bigoted minds of those responsible for this attack.”
Alliance Newry and Armagh Assembly candidate Jackie Coade condemned it also.
“This sort of mindless vandalism achieves nothing but to raise tensions in the community and damage relations,” she said.
“Any right-thinking person will condemn it.”