Three Orange halls, two in the Newry area, and the other
at Milford, just outside Armagh, were attacked during the
past month, and this provides disturbing evidence of continued
intolerance towards the Orange tradition.
In the attack on Dysart Orange Hall, near Newry in the early
hours of Monday, August 23, the hall was daubed with republican
slogans. Later on August 28 Commons Orange Hall was extensively
damaged in an attack.
Expressing his anger, Danny Kennedy, Ulster Unionist MLA
for Newry-Armagh, commented: "This is yet another attack
on Protestant culture by people who wish to intimidate and
annoy those who hold different religious beliefs."
Councillor Kennedy said the attack on the hall, which was
erected in 1934, had left brethren of the local Lodge dismayed.
"Relations between the two communities in the area are
generally good, and I trust that this incident will not be
detrimental in this respect," he stated.
He called on Sinn Fein representatives to do everything they
can to ensure this type of behaviour is discouraged.
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