Orange Order condemns weekend attacks on two halls

The Orange Order has condemned attacks on two of its halls over the weekend.

Paint bombs were thrown at Rosedernott Orange Hall near Cloughmills in the early hours of Sunday, in an incident which police are treating as a hate crime.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a union flag was removed and the flag pole was damaged in the grounds of Roden Orange Hall in Kilkeel.

Police said they are investigating a possible link between the thefts of flags and damage to flag poles from a number of addresses in that area.

A spokesperson for the Orange Order expressed sadness at “the continuing spate of hate crime targeting the institution”.

They said these incidents make a total of eight reported attacks on Orange property so far this year in Northern Ireland.

“These latest attacks, though separate, are yet further examples of the intolerant sectarianism displayed by a minority who continue to manifest their hatred towards the Orange Institution, by attacking our properties on a regular basis,” they added.

“They have nothing to offer society, only division, and their actions must be universally condemned.”

Police are appealing for information.

They said the paint bomb attack on the hall at Lislaban Road in Cloughmills happened some time between 11:30pm on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday.

Two paint bombs were thrown.

Meanwhile they said the flag theft in Kilkeel happened some time between 1am and 5.30am in the Aughnahoory Road area.

A spokesperson went on: “Police are also investigating the thefts of flags and damage to flag poles from a number of addresses in the area between the Manse Road and Knockchree Avenue sometime overnight Saturday night.

“A possible link between all of the incidents is being investigated and police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incidents or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact officers in Newry on 101 quoting reference number 549 of 23/07/17.”