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Paint attack on Orange Hall is 'crime motivated by sectarianism'

DUP leader Arlene Foster condemned the attack. Picture by Press Association.
DUP leader Arlene Foster condemned the attack. Picture by Press Association. DUP leader Arlene Foster condemned the attack. Picture by Press Association.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has condemned an attack on an Orange Hall at Aughintober in Co Tyrone as a "crime motivated by sectarianism".

Paint was thrown at the hall, outside Dungannon, over the weekend with police saying they are treating the incident as a hate crime.

Sometime between 6pm on Saturday evening and 11am on Sunday morning paint was thrown at the front door of the property causing damage to the steps and entrance of the building.

Mrs Foster said: "This is a disgraceful attack on a community facility. It is a crime motivated by sectarianism and unfortunately is one of many such attacks sustained against Orange Halls right across Northern Ireland.

"There should not only be condemnation of such attacks from right across the political spectrum but an acceptance that demonisation of the Orange Institution and Loyal Order parades feeds into the mind-set which justifies such attacks.

"When we hear demands for respect then this must also be extended to the Orange Institution, its properties and parades", she added.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that may assist with the investigation to contact the PSNI in Dungannon on 101 quoting reference 526 of 11/03/18.