Minister fears Orange Hall fire was arson

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern today expressed concern after a rural Orange Hall was destroyed in an apparent arson attack.

The blaze, which was discovered at around 8pm, destroyed Drumartin Orange Hall near Cootehill, Co Cavan.

The hall was last used by Orangemen on Friday night.

Mr Ahern said the cause of the fire had not been established but indications were that it had been started deliberately.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been in contact with local residents and Orange Order members and are expected to travel to Cavan for meetings.

An Orange Order spokesman said: “We are not absolutely certain about what caused the fire, but it is possible that this is part of the concerted attack on Orange property throughout Ireland.

“We will be working with gardaí to establish exactly what happened.”

Orange Halls in Cavan have been targeted by arsonists in the past and since the troubles in the North began, just under 300 Orange Halls have been the subject of serious arson attack throughout Ireland, according to the order.

Gardaí are investigating.