Attackers 'just cannot leave Orange hall alone'
ARSONISTS attempted to burn down an Orange hall in Tyrone yesterday - the fifth attack in two weeks on the building.
It is understood that flammable liquid was poured in at the fire escape doors at the back of Brackey Orange Hall – near Sixmilecross, Omagh – sometime between 10pm on Wednesday and 8am yesterday, before being set alight.
A farmer who is a member of the lodge spotted the fire as he was driving past on a tractor and raised the alarm before any further damage was caused.
The stage inside was damaged while the exterior has been badly scorched.
Past Master of Brackey LOL 165 Cuthbert Managh said the hall is also used by nearby churches and a faith mission, as well as for refreshments after funerals.
“They just can’t seem to leave this hall alone,” he said.
“We put up the flag every Twelfth – so we put it up last week and it was stolen and probably burnt. Then we put up another one and it was stolen, then the flag pole was bent, now they have tried to burn it down again.
“We will have to get new doors now but we are relieved it did not get into the roof.
“The majority of the local community do not support these attacks but you always get some.”
This hall – in a rural isolated area – has a long history of being attacked, including being completely burned down and having to be rebuilt in the 1970s.
Major damage was inflicted in 2000 when a hole was cut in the roof of the building and flammable liquid poured in. There has also been a steady stream of less serious incidents, such as the Union Flag being stolen and paint-bomb attacks.
A spokesman for Grand Lodge condemned the incident.
“This is another sectarian attack on Protestant culture,” he said.
“Clearly there are people in the community who are intent on causing as much tension as possible.
“The only way to deal with attacks is to give police as much information about the attack to help them do their job.”
Police said this latest attack was reported around 8.20am on Thursday morning and have appealed for anyone with information about the attack to contact them.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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