Arsonists attacked Ballylisk Orange Hall on the Tandragee
Road, Portadown, early on New Year's Day.
Almost all the windows in the hall were broken and inflammable
liquid poured in to the building. The hall was set alight
in two places but fortunately it did not take hold and the
Fire Service, who were called around 3am, were able to contain
the outbreak which caused relatively minor damage.
A spokesman for the Orange Order said :
"This hall is only about a mile from Ballyworkan Orange
Hall, which was attacked by arsonists before Christmas. The
Security Minister Paul Goggins visited the hall in the aftermath
of the attack. It seems clear to us that this nearby hall
was deliberately targetted after the visit by people who have
no fear of detection.
"In the last six months a quarter of Orange Halls in
Portadown district have been the subject of serious attacks.
"We had hoped that the New Year would see an end to
these attacks but clearly the orchestrated campaign against
our halls and Protestant culture has not stopped.
Since 1971, there have been 287 arson attacks on Orange Halls
and 50 were completely destroyed. In 2007, 27 halls were targetted
by arsonists.
"We understand that there have only been five convictions
in relation to these 287 attacks."
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