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14/03/2008
Orange Hall Attacked - Again
The latest in an ongoing series of attacks on a north Belfast Orange Hall has seen terrified women being escorted away from the scene by the police.
The women, female members of the lodge from Greencastle Orange Hall in the Whitewell area, had to be led away after the building was stoned.
This has led to an accusation from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that the incident in north Belfast was purely sectarian.
DUP MLA and prominent Orangeman, Nelson McCausland, said that police had to intervene to allow the ladies to escape and that it is the latest in a long list of attacks on the hall, and said this was nothing more than sectarianism, as the Lodge has long been a feature of the area.
The Orange Lodge's hall, situated beside the local Methodist Church, was until a decade ago, located in the midst of a quiet, lower middle class area where the population was mixed.
However, demographic changes have seen the lower Whitewell Road becoming a virtual extension of the strongly nationalist Bawnmore area nearby.
Various attempts have been made to destroy the building since then, with the facde now resembling a fortress.
In one incident, for example, the emergency services were alerted to a blaze after it was discovered that the back door had been forced open and petrol had been poured in and set alight.
On that occasion, the building suffered smoke and scorch damage, although no one was injured in the fire.
The area has seen its fair share of problems with the death of local teenager Thomas McDonald, who was killed in controversial circumstances riding his bike, being one such incident.
Mr McDonald was knocked off his bike after the driver of a car pursued him along a footpath after he was said to have thrown a brick at her windscreen. The mother was jailed for two years for manslaughter.
See: Funeral held for teenage cyclist killed in North Belfast and Arson attack on north Belfast Orange Hall
(BMcC)
The women, female members of the lodge from Greencastle Orange Hall in the Whitewell area, had to be led away after the building was stoned.
This has led to an accusation from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that the incident in north Belfast was purely sectarian.
DUP MLA and prominent Orangeman, Nelson McCausland, said that police had to intervene to allow the ladies to escape and that it is the latest in a long list of attacks on the hall, and said this was nothing more than sectarianism, as the Lodge has long been a feature of the area.
The Orange Lodge's hall, situated beside the local Methodist Church, was until a decade ago, located in the midst of a quiet, lower middle class area where the population was mixed.
However, demographic changes have seen the lower Whitewell Road becoming a virtual extension of the strongly nationalist Bawnmore area nearby.
Various attempts have been made to destroy the building since then, with the facde now resembling a fortress.
In one incident, for example, the emergency services were alerted to a blaze after it was discovered that the back door had been forced open and petrol had been poured in and set alight.
On that occasion, the building suffered smoke and scorch damage, although no one was injured in the fire.
The area has seen its fair share of problems with the death of local teenager Thomas McDonald, who was killed in controversial circumstances riding his bike, being one such incident.
Mr McDonald was knocked off his bike after the driver of a car pursued him along a footpath after he was said to have thrown a brick at her windscreen. The mother was jailed for two years for manslaughter.
See: Funeral held for teenage cyclist killed in North Belfast and Arson attack on north Belfast Orange Hall
(BMcC)
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13 July 2018
Orange Hall Attack Being Treated As A 'Hate Crime'
Police are treating an attack on an Orange Hall in Crumlin, Co Antrim, as a hate crime. The PSNI received a report that a bin was on fire in the Main Street area of the town at around 4.30am on Thursday, 12 July. Graffiti was daubed on a wall and door of the memorial hall. Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.
Orange Hall Attack Being Treated As A 'Hate Crime'
Police are treating an attack on an Orange Hall in Crumlin, Co Antrim, as a hate crime. The PSNI received a report that a bin was on fire in the Main Street area of the town at around 4.30am on Thursday, 12 July. Graffiti was daubed on a wall and door of the memorial hall. Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.
24 July 2017
Two Orange Halls Attacked
Two Orange Halls have been attacked over the weekend. A number of paint bombs were thrown at Rosedernott Orange hall, outside Cloughmills, during the early hours of Sunday, 23 July. A Union flag was also removed, and a flag pole damaged, from inside the grounds of Roden Orange hall in Kilkeel.
Two Orange Halls Attacked
Two Orange Halls have been attacked over the weekend. A number of paint bombs were thrown at Rosedernott Orange hall, outside Cloughmills, during the early hours of Sunday, 23 July. A Union flag was also removed, and a flag pole damaged, from inside the grounds of Roden Orange hall in Kilkeel.
04 October 2013
Shankill To Benefit From Council Funding
Older people from the Shankill area of Belfast are to benefit from a cash boost via the City Council's £5m Local Investment Fund. West Belfast Orange Hall has been awarded £50,000 to begin renovation works to improve accessibility within the building.
Shankill To Benefit From Council Funding
Older people from the Shankill area of Belfast are to benefit from a cash boost via the City Council's £5m Local Investment Fund. West Belfast Orange Hall has been awarded £50,000 to begin renovation works to improve accessibility within the building.
14 December 2009
Orange Lodges To 'Go Public'
NI's leading loyal order has launched ambitious plans to develop two interpretive centres. One of the Orange Order's new facilities will be at the organisation's headquarters in Belfast and the other in Loughall, Co. Armagh - founding place of Orangeism.
Orange Lodges To 'Go Public'
NI's leading loyal order has launched ambitious plans to develop two interpretive centres. One of the Orange Order's new facilities will be at the organisation's headquarters in Belfast and the other in Loughall, Co. Armagh - founding place of Orangeism.
22 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Appeal Following Arson In Newtownabbey PSNI detectives have issues an appeal for information following a report of arson endangering life at residential premises at the Dermont Way area of Newtownabbey.
Other News In Brief
Appeal Following Arson In Newtownabbey PSNI detectives have issues an appeal for information following a report of arson endangering life at residential premises at the Dermont Way area of Newtownabbey.
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