Orangemen in Tyrone have condemned an arson attack on an
Orange Hall at Douglas Bridge - the second such incident in
a week.
The front door of the hall was set on fire causing minor
damage during the attack last night (5 January). Earlier over
the Christmas period, vandals used spray paint to deface the
front of the property with graffiti and sectarian slogans.
In a statement issued today the local Orange Lodge, Johnston's
Purple Heroes L.O.L. 205, described the attacks as "most
disappointing" especially at a time when many within
Northern Ireland were looking forward to a peaceful future.
"What is very distressing is that during the festive
season, a time for peace and supposedly good will to all men,
there are those who seek to create disunity and tension in
an area where there has been complete community harmony for
many years. It is our wish to see all people within our area
mutually co-exist and, through respect and tolerance, enable
each other to practice daily life as they best see fit. It
is only when this objective is realised that we will have
a society truly at peace with itself. As a lodge we have been
operating in this area since 1823; our hall was opened in
1929 and we are determined to continue promoting our faith
and culture regardless of the actions of thugs. "
Commenting on last night's attack, Nigel Reid, Orange Order
District Master, said: "It's both sad and ironic that
at a time when people of all creeds have united to help the
victims of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, there are still
mindless people here in Northern Ireland with nothing better
to do than to intimidate members of the Protestant community".
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