Orange halls attacked in Derry

Republicans were blamed today for attacking Orange Halls in south Derry.

Two outside Magherafelt were smeared with paint and a third in neighbouring Castledawson had windows smashed.

With tens of thousands of Orangemen due to attend Twelfth of July rallies across the North tomorrow, one community representative claimed the attacks were an attempt to heighten sectarian tensions.

Ken Wilkinson of the Progressive Unionist Party, the political wing of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force, said: “This is deliberately provocative action by republicans who are looking for a reaction. It’s been going on in the south Derry area for a number of months.”