Probes into Orange Hall attacks

Police are today investigating an attack on an Orange Hall that plays a central role in the Order’s July 12 parades in Belfast.

Paint was thrown at the recently renovated Orange Hall at Clifton Street near the city centre.

In a separate incident, sectarian slogans were daubed on an Orange Hall in Rasharkin, Co Antrim.

A spokesman for the Order said: “The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has condemned vandalism attacks on two Orange Halls over the weekend.

“Sectarian slogans were daubed on the Orange Hall in the centre of Rasharkin.

“This is the fourth time this year that the hall has been the target for attack.

“Paint was also thrown at the front of Belfast Orange Hall, at Carlisle Circus.

“Extensive work was recently carried out to enhance the appearance of the hall, which is the location for the start of the Belfast Twelfth Parade.”

The attack on the Orange Hall at Clifton Street was reported to police on Friday at 10.30pm and they have appealed for information on the incident.

Ballymoney Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) councillor Audrey Patterson condemned the Rasharkin attack.

“These cowardly attacks have been rightly viewed by the minority community of the village as an assault upon the entire Protestant population,” he said.

“Orange Halls are at the very heart of the community, not just during the marching season but all year round.

“Attacks such as these display the blatant sectarianism of republicans and their hatred for all things associated with loyalism or Protestantism.”

The councillor appealed for anyone with information to contact police.