A SENIOR Orangeman has said the organisation is “devastated” after an Orange hall in Co Armagh was destroyed in an apparent overnight arson attack.
Ballytyrone hall in Loughgall sustained extensive damage after flammable liquid was poured into the property late on Thursday evening. Police are treating a fire as arson.
Drew Nelson, grand secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said: "The Orange Institution is devastated that another Orange hall has been destroyed in an overnight arson attack.
"Clearly there are still some in Northern Ireland society who are prepared to use violence to attack the Orange Institution."
The hall would be rebuilt "bigger and better", Mr Nelson claimed.
Ballytyrone is the 61st Orange hall to have been destroyed since the start of the Troubles.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness described the attack as disgraceful.
He said on Twitter: "The destruction of Ballytyrone Orange Hall in Co Armagh is a disgrace. I unreservedly condemn it. Those responsible are sectarian bigots."
The Orange Order has appealed for no retaliation.
DUP MLA William Irwin is a member and recent past master of the lodge. He described the incident as a "despicable sectarian attack" on a rural Orange Hall in a quiet country area.
"I have been a lifelong member of the lodge and a past Worshipful Master and I cannot understand the mindset of those who choose to stir up sectarian strife in what is a quiet mixed community who all get along very well. I appeal for cool heads at this time and plead for no retaliation."
Firefighters attended the blaze after police received a report of a fire at the Orange hall on Creenagh Road shortly before midnight on Thursday.
PSNI Inspector Lynsey Barr has asked anyone who was in the area and noticed suspicious activity last night to contact officers on the non emergency 101 number.
This is the second attack on an Orange hall this week, following attempted petrol bombing of Clifton Street, Belfast last Sunday.
