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27/01/2003
Orange Hall damaged by digger
An Orange Hall in Co Tyrone has been damaged after a digger was driven into the building in the early hours of this morning.
Police were called to Morree Orange Hall at around 5.30am after a digger – which police suspect was stolen from a nearby site – damaged a wall and the roof of the building. Detectives have described the attack as a "deliberate act of destruction" but said they are keeping an open mind as to the motive.
Billy Armstrong, an Ulster Unionist assembly member for the area, said: "On Saturday night they had their Burns's supper and they thought they were able to exercise their culture. It wasn't long before the nationalist/republican people of that area let them know that it was only short-lived."
The SDLP chairman of Cookstown Council, Patsy McGlone, also condemned the attack as a "mindless act of vandalism".
He added: "Acts of this nature have no purpose other than to frighten and intimidate. Those responsible have nothing positive to add to any society and should be brought before the courts as soon as possible."
The Orange Hall, which lies close to the village of Pomeroy, has been targeted previously and was burned down a day after the July 12th celebrations in 1997.
The hall was rebuilt in 1999 and has been targeted in sporadic attacks since.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
(GMcG)
Police were called to Morree Orange Hall at around 5.30am after a digger – which police suspect was stolen from a nearby site – damaged a wall and the roof of the building. Detectives have described the attack as a "deliberate act of destruction" but said they are keeping an open mind as to the motive.
Billy Armstrong, an Ulster Unionist assembly member for the area, said: "On Saturday night they had their Burns's supper and they thought they were able to exercise their culture. It wasn't long before the nationalist/republican people of that area let them know that it was only short-lived."
The SDLP chairman of Cookstown Council, Patsy McGlone, also condemned the attack as a "mindless act of vandalism".
He added: "Acts of this nature have no purpose other than to frighten and intimidate. Those responsible have nothing positive to add to any society and should be brought before the courts as soon as possible."
The Orange Hall, which lies close to the village of Pomeroy, has been targeted previously and was burned down a day after the July 12th celebrations in 1997.
The hall was rebuilt in 1999 and has been targeted in sporadic attacks since.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
(GMcG)
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