Editorial: Orange Order to be commended for shining a spotlight on the innocents lives destroyed by terrorists

​Members of the Orange Order were involved in solemn – and important – acts of remembrance yesterday.

Across the province, a number of events were held to remember the 344 members of the Orange Family murdered by terrorists.

In poignant ceremonies, the lives of people brutally taken from this earth by murderous cowards, were recalled by their loved ones and friends in the loyal orders.

Orange Victims Day is held on September 1 every year – that is the date in 1975 on which the IRA attacked Tullyvallen Orange Hall, close to Newtownhamilton in south Armagh, and shot dead five members of Tullyvallen Guiding Star Temperance LOL 630.

Gunmen burst into the isolated hall during a lodge meeting and opened fire, murdering John Johnston, 80; 73-year-old James McKee and his son Ronnie McKee, 40; Nevin McConnell, 48; and William Herron, 68, who died two days later.

Amid a long list of heinous atrocities committed by republican terrorists during the Troubles, the Tullyvallen massacre – the largest loss of life suffered by the order in a single attack – stands out for its depravity.

At Schomberg House in Belfast yesterday, leading figures of the various loyal orders came together to mark the ninth annual Orange Victims Day by laying wreaths at the “memorial window” and taking part in a remembrance service.

Grand Master Harold Henning said that the Orange Institution was “committed to ensuring the murder of our members is never forgotten”.

He added that the history of the Troubles should not be rewritten “to suit the narrative” of the terrorists.

These are most worthy sentiments. The loyal orders are to be commended for shining a spotlight on the innocents lives destroyed by evil thugs.