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The head of the Orange Order has said recent attacks on Orange
Halls are a direct assault on Protestant religion and culture.
Grand Master Robert Saulters was speaking after two Orange
Halls near Portadown were attacked by arsonists on Friday.
The halls at Tamnificarbett and Boconbra suffered extensive
smoke damage. In August, Seagoe Orange Hall in Portadown was
extensively damaged in an arson attack and an Orange Hall
in Strabane was recently destroyed by fire.
Since the Twelfth this year, 31 halls have been targeted.
Approximately 300 Orange Halls have been attacked during
the past 30 years.
Mr Saulters said:
"The spate of attacks on Orange Halls was recently discussed
in the Northern Ireland Assembly and it was re-assuring to
see that all parties condemned the attacks.
"But condemnation is not enough. Politicians have a
moral duty to help create the sort of society where attacks
on our halls, our religion and our culture are totally unacceptable.
"Too many people have attempted to demonise the Orange
Order. It is time all our politicians and other community
leaders and organisations such as the discredited Parades
Commission tried to understand the Orange Order and the central
part it plays in the Protestant community.
"Attacks on our halls are a form of ethnic assault -
a direct attack on Protestant religion and culture.
"The Orange Order condemns all violence and attacks
on any property. I have urged Orangemen throughout Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to increase the security
around their property. They must be vigilant. I have also
urged members to be calm and to work with the police in preventing
these attacks and helping them find the culprits.
"We want the police to step up the protection they give
to our property and we want to see the courts send out a message
that these attacks are very serious crimes. Sometimes it appears
to us that the authorities want to play down what is really
happening and just how serious these attacks are.
"Orange Halls are an important part of the fabric of
Protestant society. They are used for youth clubs, senior
citizens clubs and many other community organisations. When
people attack our halls they are attacking our way of life.
"I want the Orange Order to play a positive role in
our society. We are working with our government on many important
issues and we are working with the Republic of Ireland's government
on the Boyne Battlefield project. We have also established
strong links with the tourism authorities, north and south,
to promote our parades as part of the expanding cultural tourism
sector.
"We want to play our part in making Northern Ireland
a better place for everyone. It is a pity that a small group
of people seem determined to eradicate our way of life."
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