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The past month has seen attacks on a number of Orange Halls
throughout the Province, including Dunloy in Co. Antrim and
Blacksessiagh, Co. Tyrone.
The Dunloy incident involved the painting of offensive slogans
and graffiti on the building, something to which the brethren
are used to, especially at this time of the year. But it will
not deter the brethren of Dunloy from witnessing for their
culture in a peaceful and dignified manner, and they are eagerly
looking forward to the 'Twelfth'.
The same applies to the brethren of Blacksessiagh, where
republican slogans were painted on the door and other parts
of the building.
The hall is situated between Omagh and Fintona, and police
say that cans of silver spray were used in the incident.
On examining the scene in daylight, police also found that
a piece of concrete block had been thrown at the door, causing
minor damage.
West Tyrone Ulster Unionist Assembly member Derek Hussey,
described the attack on the hall as "disgraceful".
After visiting the hall on the invitation of some lodge members,
Mr. Hussey said the front of the building was covered in what
could only be described as "obscene sectarian writing."
He said the hall was located in a very rural area and provides
a base for a small country community of Orangemen, together
with their familes and friends in the area.
"This disgraceful attack on Orange property is an obvious
attempt to intimidate those whose only desire is to meet and
celebrate their culture in a peaceful manner as they always
have," he said.
"Last July, members of Blacksessiagh had to endure an
attempted arson attack on their premises. I accompanied a
delegation that met with the local police Commander in regard
to this attack and other concerns. These concerns are again
highlighted by this latest incident and must be properly addressed.
"As we approach the period of celebration of our culture,
I urge local police to ensure that those who seek to stir
tension within our community by such attacks do not succeed.
"I unreservedly condemn the incident, trust that it
will be fully investigated and would appeal to anyone with
any knowledge of the attack to contact the PSNI in Omagh",
he said.
Also speaking out against the attack, Ulster Unionist member
of Omagh District Council, Mr. Bert Wilson said: "This
is another in a line of attacks which have taken place over
the past few years, including an attempt last year to burn
the building. The hall is being used by youth and farming
groups, as well as by the local Lodge and Accordion Band.
"Over the past few years republicans have been constantly
switching violence and intimidation on and off in an effort
to raise tension and provoke Unionists into retaliating, especially
in the lead up to the local Orange parades, so that all the
blame would be aimed at the Orange Order.
"This incident is another attempt at provoking a small
Unionist community in the Omagh council area, but I would
say to the perpetrators of this latest cowardly act that the
Unionist population will not be intimidated. In fact, this
writing was deliberately left on the hall so that the general
public could see the bitterness and hatred that is directed
at anything that British subjects represent."
Mr. Wilson asked the police force to pay particular attention
to these local halls leading up to and immediately after the
July celebrations, as this was the period when most attacks
take place.
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