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Fourteen windows smashed in Orange Hall hate crime

Damaged windows at Strawletterdallon Orange hall, near Newtownstewart, in Co Tyrone. It is the third attack on the hall in less than three months.
Damaged windows at Strawletterdallon Orange hall, near Newtownstewart, in Co Tyrone. It is the third attack on the hall in less than three months. Damaged windows at Strawletterdallon Orange hall, near Newtownstewart, in Co Tyrone. It is the third attack on the hall in less than three months.

AN Orange hall in west Tyrone has been attacked for the third time in less than three months.

Police confirmed they are treating the incident at Strawletterdallon Orange hall, near Newtownstewart, as a hate crime.

Fourteen windows were smashed and a door was damaged during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

This follows two similar attacks at the Plumbridge Road property in February.

An Orange Order spokesman accused the perpetrators of waging a “hate campaign” against the rural hall and urged anyone with information to contact the PSNI.

"Once again Strawletterdallon has been attacked by vandals who have nothing to offer society, only destruction and division," he said.

"The stark similarity to previous attacks indicates that the minority rump responsible have reverted to type, by returning to engage in their shameful sectarian criminality.

"These intolerant bigots believe they are damaging the Orange Institution by destroying its property.

"However, they fail to realise their wicked deeds are actually an attack on community groups in and around the Newtownstewart area who avail of this hall as a social facility and meeting place."

He added: “Their actions are futile and are not representative of the local community who will quite rightly be appalled at this latest attack.”

Inspector Alison Ferguson is appealing for anyone with any information to contact officers in Strabane Police Station on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Strawletterdallon incident is the fifth attack on an Orange property so far this year.