IRA graffiti on Orange hall in largely-Catholic village 'an attack on Protestant community' - and mimics similar Twelfth attack last year

The graffiti was scrawled on the Orange hall on Main Street in Rasharkin, north Antrim, in what is just the latest attack on the hall.

According to the 2021 Census, Rasharkin has a population of 1,072, of which 862 are Catholic (80%) and 154 (14%) are Protestant.

On Monday, the village had been hosting the Twelfth demonstration of the Independent Orange Order.

Another message daubed on the hall read: “F*** UR 12th.”

Police believe the vandalism occurred overnight from Monday into Tuesday.

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew (DUP) said: “Even though we had a tremendous time of celebration when sun was out and the mood was great, a tiny number fall into the grip of hatred and intolerance – Rasharkin hall attacked for fifth time in a year.”

DUP councillors Mervyn Storey, Darryl Wilson and John McAuley issued a joint statement in which they said: “While the majority of the residents of Rasharkin showed respect and tolerance for the Twelfth celebrations yesterday, sadly there remains a small unrepresentative group who just want to display their sectarian intolerance of anything from a different tradition, even a building of bricks and mortar.

"Sadly this is the second time in weeks that the hall has been attacked, and one of many over the years.

"Those who talk much about intolerance and demand respect for their culture and tradition seem incapable of displaying the same.

"It’s time for those in leadership in republicanism in the village to call this sectarian hatred out and condemn it for what it is: an attack on the Protestant community of the village.”

TUV councillor Jonathan McAuley said it had been carried out “for no reason other than to raise tensions and, it would appear, intimidate the few remaining Protestants in the village into leaving”.

He added: “I have spoken with the PSNI this morning regarding the attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall, and I await to see what action, if any, will be taken.”

PSNI inspector Ian Armour said: “At 8am, we received a report that graffiti had been sprayed on a building in the Main Street area of the town at approximately 1.20am.

“This is being treated as a sectarian hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the Main Street area overnight, or who may have CCTV, dash-cam or other footage, is asked to contact police using our witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals quoting 392 of 14/07/26 or call us on 101.

"Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .”

The hall had previously been graffitied on June 7, when IRA was written on the hall in large letters.

And one year ago it had suffered similar vandalism, also carried out at about the same time.

On that occasion, the PSNI had said it received a report shortly after 1.20am on July 12, 2025, that “paint had been thrown over the front of the building and graffiti daubed on walls opposite”.

Superintendent Sinead McIldowney, district commander for Causeway Coast and Glens, had said at the time: “We are treating this criminal damage as a sectarian-motivated hate crime.

“The police service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable.

“Our officers will continue to proactively patrol the area and engage with the local community around any concerns they may have.”

And on August 30, 2024, the PSNI had said “graffiti had been sprayed outside the building, on the footpath and the road” in “a sectarian hate crime”.

It had read: “Ha ha IRA.”

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said at the time: “This is a very sinister development clearly designed to intimidate and instil fear in the minority unionist community of Rasharkin. I trust the police will act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice.”