Attack on Orange hall in south Armagh being treated as a 'hate crime' by PSNI

The brazenness of an attack on a south Armagh Orange hall has been described as “particularly sinister” by a TUV councillor.

Councillor Keith Ratcliffe said he was “dismayed and disappointed” to learn that eggs had been thrown and a window broken at the premises on the 12th of July.

"While Keady district is no stranger to such acts of vandalism, the brazenness of this latest attack is particularly sinister,” he said.

“When the brethren of Keady True Blues LOL 298 returned from the Co Armagh Twelfth demonstration in Lurgan, they were ‘welcomed’ by a group of youths, many of whom had their faces covered by scarves. As the brethren enjoyed tea and fellowship together, the hall then came under attack from a crowd throwing eggs.

“The Orangemen departed at around 6pm but it would appear the attack on the hall continued, as the window was reported broken at around 8pm. Brambles were also dragged in front of the door to the hall.”

Cllr. Ratcliffe has appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward to the PSNI, and added: ““It is disappointing that after enjoying a dignified parade in Lurgan, the brethren of LOL 298 have had such a dampener put on their day. While some may shrug off such an attack, claiming it was just a bunch of young people messing around, the pattern of such activity in the wider Keady district would suggest a much more sinister motive.

"One questions where is the respect and tolerance that nationalists have so often called for? Where is the shared space in Keady and other parts of South Armagh?”

Police have appealed for information following a report of criminal damage which they said they are treating as a “sectarian hate crime”.Inspector Browne said: “We received a report that between approximately 6.10pm and 8pm on Wednesday, 12 July, a window was smashed and branches were scattered at the front of an Orange Hall. We are treating this as a sectarian hate crime.“Our investigation is underway and we are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area or who may have captured CCTV or other footage to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1925 12/07/23.”