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The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has condemned the increased
number of attacks on Orangemen, their supporters and property
over this Twelfth period compared to last year.
The Grand Lodge says it is alarmed at the number of attacks
in the past week. It is currently collating information about
the incidents which took place across Northern Ireland and
in the Republic of Ireland.
The attacks included:
- Damage to Claudy Orange Hall, Co. Londonderry, on the
Twelfth night when paint was thrown at the building.
- An attack on an Orange feeder parade in Ardoyne, Belfast,
when a firework and other missiles were thrown at Orangemen
and bands.
- A petrol bomb attack which damaged the exterior of the
Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in Society Street, Londonderry.
- An attack on six buses and cars returning from the demonstration
at Loughall, Co. Armagh.
- An attack in Greysteel on three buses returning from the
demonstration in Limavady, Co. Londonderry.
- The burning of a car outside Convoy Orange Hall in Co.
Donegal on the Twelfth night.
- The removal by Republicans of Union flags and other bunting
in Newcastle, Co. Down.
These incidents are set against a background of arson attacks
on Orange Halls of which there have been seven in July alone.
Reports are still coming in about various attacks and vandalism.
It appears that the number of these attacks has gone up on
last year which is a very worrying trend, particularly in
the new political circumstances in which we find ourselves.
We have not yet had time to analyse the reasons behind the
attacks but it may have something to do with the dynamics
within the Republican community. A small element within that
community seems intent on attacking Orangeism as a way of
trying to influence Republican politics.
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