07/10/2014
Donegal Orange Hall Arson - Men Arrested
Two men have been arrested following arson attacks on an Orange hall and a church in Convoy in County Donegal.
The hall was destroyed and a Presbyterian church was damaged in the village last Friday.
The men, who are reported to be in their 30s, were arrested on Monday and are are being questioned at Letterkenny Garda station.
Last month nearby Newtowncunningham Orange hall, also in County Donegal, was destroyed in a separate arson attack.
Convoy Orange hall was built in the 1930s and is used mainly by members of Thiepval Memorial Lodge and a local Apprentice Boys Club. It also serves as a facility for other community activities.
Convoy Master Alan Laird said: "The Orange fraternity in Convoy is just aghast - we are in a complete state of shock. We enjoy fantastic community relations with our Roman Catholic neighbours and have no idea why our hall would be targeted in such a manner.
"The hall has served as a hub for a range of social activities for generations, and only recently hosted a 100th birthday party. Its immediate loss will be keenly felt but we are determined to see the hall restored again to its former glory."
Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Drew Nelson, said: "It would appear that this incident, although not yet confirmed, is a carbon copy of the recent arson attack at Newtowncunningham. If so, it is our belief such criminality will be roundly rejected by the overwhelming majority of the Roman Catholic community in Donegal.
"Attacks on Orange halls are an insidious form of sectarianism, which by the evidence of recent weeks, are being carried out by a small group of well organised people."
(IT/MH)
The hall was destroyed and a Presbyterian church was damaged in the village last Friday.
The men, who are reported to be in their 30s, were arrested on Monday and are are being questioned at Letterkenny Garda station.
Last month nearby Newtowncunningham Orange hall, also in County Donegal, was destroyed in a separate arson attack.
Convoy Orange hall was built in the 1930s and is used mainly by members of Thiepval Memorial Lodge and a local Apprentice Boys Club. It also serves as a facility for other community activities.
Convoy Master Alan Laird said: "The Orange fraternity in Convoy is just aghast - we are in a complete state of shock. We enjoy fantastic community relations with our Roman Catholic neighbours and have no idea why our hall would be targeted in such a manner.
"The hall has served as a hub for a range of social activities for generations, and only recently hosted a 100th birthday party. Its immediate loss will be keenly felt but we are determined to see the hall restored again to its former glory."
Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Drew Nelson, said: "It would appear that this incident, although not yet confirmed, is a carbon copy of the recent arson attack at Newtowncunningham. If so, it is our belief such criminality will be roundly rejected by the overwhelming majority of the Roman Catholic community in Donegal.
"Attacks on Orange halls are an insidious form of sectarianism, which by the evidence of recent weeks, are being carried out by a small group of well organised people."
(IT/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 March 2024
PSNI Investigates Arson Attack In L'Derry
The PSNI have launched an investigation into an arson attack in L'Derry on Monday, 11 March. At around 11.30pm last night, it was reported to police that two vehicles were on fire in the Grainan Drive area. Police and NIFRS attended the scene. Both vehicles sustained significant damage. Two other vehicles were also damaged as a result of the fire.
PSNI Investigates Arson Attack In L'Derry
The PSNI have launched an investigation into an arson attack in L'Derry on Monday, 11 March. At around 11.30pm last night, it was reported to police that two vehicles were on fire in the Grainan Drive area. Police and NIFRS attended the scene. Both vehicles sustained significant damage. Two other vehicles were also damaged as a result of the fire.
28 March 2024
Investigation Launches Into South Belfast Arson Attack
South Belfast PSNI have issued an appeal for information following an arson attack at a commercial premises in the Diamond Gardens area of Finaghy, in the early hours of Thursday 28th March.
Investigation Launches Into South Belfast Arson Attack
South Belfast PSNI have issued an appeal for information following an arson attack at a commercial premises in the Diamond Gardens area of Finaghy, in the early hours of Thursday 28th March.
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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.