“Sectarian attack” on local Orange Hall condemned | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

“Sectarian attack” on local Orange Hall condemned

Sinn Féin Councillor Roisin Mulgrew has condemned what she described as a “sectarian attack” on Belleek Orange Hall.

Speaking to Newry Times, the local Councillor said, “I unreservedly condemn the reprehensible attack on this Orange Hall.

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“Those responsible represent nobody and have nothing positive to offer.

She added, “I would appeal to anyone with information about those responsible for this sectarian act of vandalism to report it to the PSNI.”

 

 

Writing on their Facebook page, Markethill District L.O.L No.10, stated, “No sooner was the District New Year Message posted than the news came through that one of our Orange Halls has come under attack.

“In the late hours of last night/ early hours of this morning, there was an attempted break-in to Beleek Orange Hall, home of Beleek Bible and Crown defenders LOL 528.

“In what was clearly a concerted attempt, the security door to the building was battered with hammers and other implements in an attempt to gain access to the hall.

 

 

“The door was partially opened but thankfully the attackers were unable to do enough damage to get inside. In their frustration at failure, they took their anger out on drain pipe and other fixtures around the hall.

The Facebook post continued, “Make no mistake this was without question an attempt to get into the hall, with from experience the motivation most likely to have been to burn it down.

“Beleek Orange Hall has been attacked numerous times in the past, indeed it was actually blown up at one point. As recently as 2015 Republican graffiti was sprayed over the building.

 

 

“Currently we are being told by the great and good to ‘move on’. Meanwhile, the attacks continue on our community.

“All of those, of any political hue, who are resuming ‘talks’ on Thursday need reminded that we are not in some new peaceful society.

“There are those determined to extinguish the presence of a whole community and culture. Beleek Orange Hall is heavily fortified because of continual attacks.

 

 

“Until we can own buildings that actually are able to let daylight into them without fear of destruction, there is no peace in our land.

The post added, “Beleek Orange Lodge is a strong body, with a large and growing membership. It is going nowhere. The damage will be fixed and this will drive the Brethren to further their Orange heritage.”

For more of today’s top stories in Newry and beyond, click here.

 

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Posted by on Jan 1 2020. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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