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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Orange hall attacked by arsonists | Orange hall attacked by arsonists |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An Orange hall has been attacked by arsonists in County Armagh, according to the organisation. | An Orange hall has been attacked by arsonists in County Armagh, according to the organisation. |
| Police are investigating the incident at Ballyworkan Orange hall on the Tandragee Road in Portadown. | Police are investigating the incident at Ballyworkan Orange hall on the Tandragee Road in Portadown. |
| The Orange Order said it was the fifth attack on halls in the area since August. | The Orange Order said it was the fifth attack on halls in the area since August. |
| Portadown District Master Darryl Hewitt said: "There is clearly an orchestrated campaign by an organisation in this area." | Portadown District Master Darryl Hewitt said: "There is clearly an orchestrated campaign by an organisation in this area." |
| He added: "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. | He added: "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." | "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." |
| A PSNI spokeswoman said in response: "The PSNI condemns attacks and criminal damage on all property irrespective of where it occurs or which community is the victim. | A PSNI spokeswoman said in response: "The PSNI condemns attacks and criminal damage on all property irrespective of where it occurs or which community is the victim. |
| 'Concerns' | 'Concerns' |
| "We are aware of the concerns expressed by the Orange Order and want to assure them that we view these attacks seriously. | "We are aware of the concerns expressed by the Orange Order and want to assure them that we view these attacks seriously. |
| "Each incident is robustly investigated and all available evidence is obtained with a view to making any identified perpetrators accountable through the criminal justice system." | "Each incident is robustly investigated and all available evidence is obtained with a view to making any identified perpetrators accountable through the criminal justice system." |
| The spokeswoman added that the chief constable and his senior management team had met with Orange Order representatives. | The spokeswoman added that the chief constable and his senior management team had met with Orange Order representatives. |
| Security Minister Paul Goggins said the attack was "sickening and cowardly". | |
| "I have had a number of meetings with the Orange Order in relation to attacks on Orange halls and I intend to meet with representatives of the police and the Orange Order again in the coming days, during which this overnight attack will be discussed in more detail," he said. | |
| Sinn Fein assembly member John O'Dowd said: "I would condemn this attack wholeheartedly and without reservation. All such attacks are wrong and should stop immediately." |