Arlene Foster: Cutting union flag out of Orange NHS banner a ‘sick sectarian attack’

The banner, erected by Dunloy LOL 496, bore the message “thank you to all NHS staff and essential workers” along with a union flag.

The union flag was cut from the banner.

The vandalism has been condemned by First Minister Arlene Foster along with other political figures.

On Twitter, Mrs Foster wrote: “This is a sick sectarian attack by people who consistently target the Orange Hall in Dunloy. It’s not an attack on bricks and mortar or in this case an NHS banner, it’s an attack on the men, women and children who use the hall.”

TUV leader Jim Allister said: “This pandemic has seen people come together for the good of the entire community and there are countless examples across North Antrim of people going the extra mile to ensure that people are receiving the support they need in challenging times. Yet even in the midst of a pandemic there are those who cannot hide their bitterness and narrow minded bigotry. This was graphically illustrated when a banner supporting the NHS and essential workers erected at Dunloy Orange hall was vandalised just hours after being erected this evening.

“The nation in National Health Service is the United Kingdom whose flag the vandals took such exception to. This is an attack not just on the long suffering Unionist community of the village but on the entire NHS and the key workers others wanted to show support for. Those responsible for the attack should be ashamed of themselves and I trust they will be brought to justice.”

Also writing on Twitter, DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said: “Even in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis, when the vast majority of the community is pulling together, Dunloy Orange Hall continues to be a target. It (the banner) was displaying support for our NHS. Narrow-minded and sinister people behind this attack.”

In a statement, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: “The Orange Institution has been saddened by the attack on a banner supporting the NHS displayed on Dunloy Orange Hall.

“In a time of unprecedented community cohesion in the face of Covid-19, it is disappointing to be reminded of the clear animosity and intolerance shown to our members and the unionist community. We had hoped that as a result of the shared hardships and efforts made by our whole community in recent weeks that these types of incident could have been consigned to the past – sadly it appears not to be the case.

“The immediate priority and focus of our Institution and indeed all citizens of Northern Ireland must be to fight this pandemic by supporting the NHS, appreciating our essential workers, and doing all we can to support and encourage everyone to respect the social distancing and isolating guidelines in place at this time.

“Our response to this attack will be to continue to strive to meet any need we can and assist all in our communities, regardless of creed or politics.

“The Orange Family has played a central role in helping the elderly, vulnerable and isolated right across Northern Ireland and areas of the Republic of Ireland. We will not allow this incident to deflect from that good work.”

The spokesperson added: “We will deal with issues of this nature at a later date.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police have received a report of damage to a banner which had been placed outside Dunloy Orange hall, supporting the NHS. The damage has been caused today, Wednesday the 06/05/2020 between 07:30 and 19:30 hours. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 101 and quote serial number 1862 - 06/05/2020.”