This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8265295.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Possible link to tractor attacks | Possible link to tractor attacks |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Police are investigating a possible link between two attacks on Orange halls in County Antrim within 24 hours. | |
It is believed a tractor was used to force open a door at Tullaghans Orange Hall on Bravallan Road in Ballymoney. | |
Drums and furniture inside the building were also damaged in the incident which was reported at 1710 BST on Saturday. | |
Police said it may be linked to another attack in which a tractor was used to knock down a wall outside Granagh Independent Orange Hall in Rasharkin. | |
The front door of the building on Mullan Road was also damaged in that incident which was discovered on Saturday morning. | |
'Maximum destruction' | |
Local DUP councillor John Finlay condemned both attacks which he described as "blatantly sectarian". | |
He said they were an attempt to stir sectarian tensions in the area. | |
"The use of a large mechanical machine demonstrates great determination of local republicans to create maximum destruction. | |
"Some people just do not want a Protestant about the place," he added. | |
There have been a number of sectarian attacks on property belonging to both the Orange Order and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the vicinity in recent months. | There have been a number of sectarian attacks on property belonging to both the Orange Order and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the vicinity in recent months. |