THE Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr James Mehaffey, yesterday condemned those responsible for an arson attack on church property in Dungiven, Co Derry.
The fire, which was discovered early yesterday morning, destroyed a container unit beside the Church of Ireland hall at Chapel Road in the town. The container was used to store furniture rescued from an arson attack on the same hall last July. In that attack, the newly built hall, due to have been reopened later this month, was destroyed.
"The Church of Ireland is a minority community in Dungiven and this latest attack on church property is very upsetting," said Bishop Mehaffey. "It is very important that the majority [Catholic] community rally round and show tremendous solidarity with them. I would also say to minority communities of the nationalist persuasion that I would hope that Unionist people and Protestant people would do the same for them.
"We need to show solidarity in the face of arson attacks on church properties and it is important to stand together on this," the bishop said.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, described the latest spate of attacks on church properties as despicable. "I would call on all those involved to desist immediately. It has absolutely no bearing on the political difficulties and it will make no contribution to resolving them."
A further arson attack occurred early yesterday on a house at Thistle Court on Newtownards Road in Belfast. The RUC said it was alerted to a fire at the home shortly before 3 a.m. after a flammable substance had been thrown through the letter box and set alight.
There was no one inside at the time of the attack, and only minor damage was caused to the doorway. A spokesman for the RUC said no motive had been established.