10/11/2008
Condemnations Follow GAA Club Attacks
The Orange Order has condemned weekend arson attacks on Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubrooms.
A statement from the top loyal order today said: "We condemn all attacks on halls in our community without reservation, and we appeal for no retaliation."
Appealing for no 'tit-for-tat' attacks the statement continued: "Retaliation is always a trap and the people who are burning our Orange Halls will be the ones who will be most pleased if misguided people from the Protestant community retaliate."
The hard-hitting comments came on foot of the second of two fires, this time at GAA premises in Cookstown, which is being treated as suspicious by police.
The fire at the building on Convent Road in the town was the second suspected attack over the weekend on GAA premises in the county.
Northern Ireland Sports Minister Gregory Campbell also condemned the incidents "unequivocally and without reservation".
"If the morons who seem to have a resentment and bitterness in them against either Orange halls or GAA halls see the consequence of their attacks mean there will be bigger and better premises built instead, maybe that will have an impact," he said.
"There will be a response by the community and those who attack the hall for whatever mischievous reason will see that it has backfired - maybe that will have an impact because there is no point in attacks that rebound on each community as a result of the previous one."
Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff said it was "very upsetting to see these GAA clubs vandalised and burned in this way".
However, he welcomed the Orange Order's intervention: "It's helpful that the Orange Order has spoken in such clear terms about attacks on GAA halls."
Mr McElduff also said he condemned attacks on Orange halls, adding: "I would call on anyone engaged in such activities to desist."
On Saturday morning a blaze was discovered at St Malachy's GAA club in Edendork. Police are also treating that fire as suspicious.
The blaze at St Malachy's destroyed the roof, and the building was later declared unsafe.
Meanwhile, patient files have been damaged in a fire at a Co Down doctor's surgery.
The fire broke out on Sunday evening at the premises on Pound Lane in Downpatrick. Forensic teams are examining the scene.
As many as 6,000 files may have been badly burned, smoke or water damaged.
(BMcC)
A statement from the top loyal order today said: "We condemn all attacks on halls in our community without reservation, and we appeal for no retaliation."
Appealing for no 'tit-for-tat' attacks the statement continued: "Retaliation is always a trap and the people who are burning our Orange Halls will be the ones who will be most pleased if misguided people from the Protestant community retaliate."
The hard-hitting comments came on foot of the second of two fires, this time at GAA premises in Cookstown, which is being treated as suspicious by police.
The fire at the building on Convent Road in the town was the second suspected attack over the weekend on GAA premises in the county.
Northern Ireland Sports Minister Gregory Campbell also condemned the incidents "unequivocally and without reservation".
"If the morons who seem to have a resentment and bitterness in them against either Orange halls or GAA halls see the consequence of their attacks mean there will be bigger and better premises built instead, maybe that will have an impact," he said.
"There will be a response by the community and those who attack the hall for whatever mischievous reason will see that it has backfired - maybe that will have an impact because there is no point in attacks that rebound on each community as a result of the previous one."
Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff said it was "very upsetting to see these GAA clubs vandalised and burned in this way".
However, he welcomed the Orange Order's intervention: "It's helpful that the Orange Order has spoken in such clear terms about attacks on GAA halls."
Mr McElduff also said he condemned attacks on Orange halls, adding: "I would call on anyone engaged in such activities to desist."
On Saturday morning a blaze was discovered at St Malachy's GAA club in Edendork. Police are also treating that fire as suspicious.
The blaze at St Malachy's destroyed the roof, and the building was later declared unsafe.
Meanwhile, patient files have been damaged in a fire at a Co Down doctor's surgery.
The fire broke out on Sunday evening at the premises on Pound Lane in Downpatrick. Forensic teams are examining the scene.
As many as 6,000 files may have been badly burned, smoke or water damaged.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 March 2024
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
09 February 2024
PSNI Holds Urgent Meeting On North Belfast Hate Crime Incidents
The PSNI's District Policing Command has hosted a urgent meeting of the North Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership to address an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and hate incidents in the North Belfast area.
PSNI Holds Urgent Meeting On North Belfast Hate Crime Incidents
The PSNI's District Policing Command has hosted a urgent meeting of the North Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership to address an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and hate incidents in the North Belfast area.
06 February 2024
Naomi Long Re-Elected As Justice Minister For Northern Ireland
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has been re-elected as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland, following a cross community vote in the Assembly. Minister Long previously held the Justice portfolio from January 2020 to October 2022.
Naomi Long Re-Elected As Justice Minister For Northern Ireland
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has been re-elected as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland, following a cross community vote in the Assembly. Minister Long previously held the Justice portfolio from January 2020 to October 2022.
16 February 2024
Ministers Highlight Importance Of Accessible Childcare
The First and Deputy First Ministers have visited the Ashton Community Trust and Shankill Women's Centre to highlight the importance of good quality and accessible childcare.
Ministers Highlight Importance Of Accessible Childcare
The First and Deputy First Ministers have visited the Ashton Community Trust and Shankill Women's Centre to highlight the importance of good quality and accessible childcare.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.