Orange Order 'targeted in arson attacks'

The Orange Order today claimed their property is being targeted in an orchestrated campaign of sectarian arson attacks after …

The Orange Order today claimed their property is being targeted in an orchestrated campaign of sectarian arson attacks after another incident in Portadown.

The Protestant marching organisation also accused the police and Northern Ireland Office of playing down the possibility of there being a deliberate campaign.

Ballyworkan Orange Hall on the Tandragee Road in the Co Armagh town was attacked around 11.45pm last night, with windows smashed and petrol poured in before being set alight. A spokesman for the Order said this was the fifth such incident in the Portadown area since August.

Other attacks have occurred at Seagoe, Tamnifacarbett, Bocombra and Ballygargan. The spokesman said: "There is clearly an orchestrated campaign by an organisation in this area.

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"The police and the Northern Ireland Office seem to be playing down the possibility of a deliberate campaign but it seems obvious to everyone else.

"This is a very serious situation and we call for a more determined effort from the police to catch the culprits and prevent further attacks on the cultural traditions of the Protestant community." The Police Service for Northern Ireland confirmed they were treating the incident as suspicious. PA