Sir Reg Empey expressed fears
that GAA or Hibernian premises
could be extensively targeted in
retaliation for the recent spate of
malicious fires at Orange lodge
buildings.
The Ulster Unionist leader was
speaking after two Orange halls in
Co Armagh sustained smoke damage
after arson attacks on New
Year's Day.
Sir Reg said: "Anyone who cannot
see that there is a sectarian campaign
running to destroy Orange
halls is not living in the real world.
"My principal anxiety is that this
destruction will lead to retaliation
on GAA or Hibernian property and a
spiral of burnings will be provoked.
"This must stop now. I call upon
the PSNI to put real resources, both
covert and overt, into counteracting
this campaign before it is too late
and these terrorists succeed in starting
a tit-for-tat series of attacks."
Sir Reg also backed Orange Order
Grand Secretary Drew Nelson's call
for a change to Government compensation
laws to make it easier for
lodges to claim damages.
Mr Nelson said anger was growing
within the organisation: "The political
temperature is rising. People are
saying to me, 'Is this what we can
expect from the so-called new
Northern Ireland?'