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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Belfast: Whiterock Orange Hall damaged in arson attack | Belfast: Whiterock Orange Hall damaged in arson attack |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Whiterock Orange Hall in west Belfast has been damaged in an arson attack. | Whiterock Orange Hall in west Belfast has been damaged in an arson attack. |
| A bin was pushed up against the back door of the hall on the Springfield Road early on Saturday morning, 1 June. | A bin was pushed up against the back door of the hall on the Springfield Road early on Saturday morning, 1 June. |
| It was set alight and the door was burned. There was also smoke damage to the interior of the building. | It was set alight and the door was burned. There was also smoke damage to the interior of the building. |
| Belfast County Grand Master George Chittick said the arsonists were "attempting to whip up tensions ahead of the main parading season". | Belfast County Grand Master George Chittick said the arsonists were "attempting to whip up tensions ahead of the main parading season". |
| "They must not be allowed to succeed," he said. | "They must not be allowed to succeed," he said. |
| "Brethren in west Belfast, and particularly the members of Whiterock Temperance LOL 974, have made great strides to ensure this hall is a community facility for all. | |
| "This attack was clearly carried out by people who have no respect or tolerance for a differing viewpoint." | |
| North Belfast DUP MLA William Humphrey said the attack had caused thousands of pounds of damage to the hall. | |
| "This was undoubtedly a sectarian attack. I am disgusted and outraged that a local Orange hall has been targeted and damaged in this way," he said. | |
| "This hall is used extensively by the local community in the Highfield, Springmartin and West Circular Road area and this will be viewed as a deliberate attack on the local Protestant community. | |
| "I would appeal for calm and for there to be no further incidents." | |
| Police have appealed to anyone with information about the attack to contact them. | Police have appealed to anyone with information about the attack to contact them. |