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More arson and graffiti attacks on Orange Halls

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Aughintober Orange Hall which had graffiti painted on the walls and doors. dd2925

ARSON and graffiti attacks on two local Orange Halls in the past week have been widely condemned.
In Sixmilecross, an Orange Hall suffered its fifth attack in a fortnight when an attempt was made to burn it down while graffiti was daubed at Aughintober Orange Hall.
It is believed flammable liquid was poured through the fire escape doors at Brackey Orange Hall near Sixmilecross sometime between 10pm on Wednesday last (July 14) and 8am on Thursday before being set alight.
Fortunately a farmer, who is also a member of the lodge, managed to raise the alarm after passing by on a tractor and prevented the fire from taking hold.
It is understood that this is the fifth time in just two weeks that the hall has been attacked, although the previous incidents largely centred on the theft of the Union flag from outside the hall and damage being caused to the flag pole.
Past Master of Brackey LOL 165 Cuthbert Managh said the hall, which is also used by churches, a faith mission and as a venue for funeral mourners, has been consistently targeted over the years.
He said: "We put up the flag every Twelfth so we put it up last week and it was stolen and probably burnt. Then we put up another one and it was stolen, then the flag pole was bent and now they have tried to burn it down again.
“We will have to get new doors but we are relieved it did not get into the roof. The majority of the local community do not support these attacks but you always get some."
A previous arson attack on the hall in the 1970s completely destroyed it and in 2000 serious damage was caused to the resurrected building when a hole was cut in the roof and a flammable liquid poured in.
It has also been the target of paint-bomb attacks and the Union flag has been stolen on numerous occasions.
A spokesperson for the Grand Lodge condemned the incident citing it as a "sectarian attack on the Protestant culture".
Police are investigating the attack.
Meanwhile Dungannon Town Councillor Walter Cuddy, who is a member of Aughintober LOL No 38, condemned the attack on Aughintober Hall and said the hall was a community hall as well as an Orange Hall.
Stated Cllr Cuddy: "Aughintober Hall has served the entire community west of Castlecaulfield over the past number of years.
“In addition to the Orange Hall, Aughintober facilitates a thriving bowling club which is used by both communities and it is used as a practice hall by Aughintober Pipe Band, which plays in Grade 2 and is one of the top pipe bands in Northern Ireland.
“In addition Aughintober Hall is used by a youth club, regeneration group and football club.
“It is more than just an Orange Hall and is a cross-community hall. It's sad when you see graffiti referring to 'Tyrone GAA' daubed on the hall, particularly over the weekend when the GAA team was playing in the Ulster final.
“Those who claim to be Tyrone supporters should think again before carrying out such actions."
Cllr Cuddy also condemned an attack on the nearby Gorey Mission Hall in which windows were smashed.

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