A DUP MLA angrily attacked Sinn Fein last night after an Orange hall suffered two attacks in 24 hours.
The premises in Rasharkin were attacked with red and green paint, and daubed with the letters CIRA in the early hours of yesterday.
Then, brethren returning from their parade discovered a side door had been forced open and an Apprentice Boys banne
rette and flag stolen. Chairs were scattered around the hall.
Mervyn Storey, who was walking with the lodge on its way back, said: “It’s obvious that republicans want to go back to contention and division.
“Their political masters say that they are up for equality, but tonight equality lies in tatters in Rasharkin.
“I wonder when the Orange brethren of Rasharkin are going to enjoy the benefits of Sinn Fein’s equality agenda?”
Mr Storey also claimed that members of Ballymaconnelly Band were verbally abused and spat upon in the village.
Ballymoney’s DUP Mayor Jim Finlay said: “If we are going to move forward then people have to stop this carry on.
“The majority of the community want to be left in peace. But there are still people stirring the pot and who seem to want to cause trouble.”
Paint was thrown at an Orange hall in Claudy some time overnight on Wednesday, causing minor damage to the building.
Police in the Waterside area of Londonderry are appealing for information.
The attacks are the latest in a spate of similar incidents involving Orange halls in rural parts of Ulster.
It was revealed earlier this week that arrests had been made following attacks at Mullantur and Carnagh Orange halls, near Keady.
Scorch damage had been caused at Carnagh on Tuesday night and damage was discovered at Mullantur the following morning.
On Wednesday night three youths had been charged with arson in relation to the incident at Carnagh.
Last Friday night, major damage was also caused to Crosskeys Orange Hall, also near Keady.
Grand Secretary of the Orange Order Drew Nelson said earlier this week that compensation could only be released if such attacks were attributed to illegal organisations.
He warned that the reluctance of the Chief Constable to blame organisations on ceasefire threatened that compensation.
He intimated that if such groups were named by Sir Hugh Orde, such a revelation could have widespread political repercussions.
