Police treating Orange hall graffiti as sectarian hate crime

Graffiti which was daubed on an Orange hall is being treated by police as a sectarian hate crime.

The vandalism at Rasharkin Orange Hall was reported at 08:00 BST on Tuesday and it is believed it happened overnight.

In a joint statement, Democratic Unionist Party councillors said it was "and one of many [attacks] over the years".

Councillors Mervyn Storey, Darryl Wilson and John McAuley said "there remains a small unrepresentative group who just want to display their sectarian intolerance of anything from a different tradition".

"Those who talk much about intolerance and demand respect for their culture and tradition seem incapable of displaying the same," they added.

"It's time for those in leadership in republicanism in the village to call this sectarian hatred out and condemn it for what it is, an attack on the Protestant community of the village."

In a statement issued by McAuley and Storey, the leadership of Rasharkin Chosen Few Lodge said they were "extremely frustrated and angered".

"This is now the 36th attack on the hall in recent years, and the third in just a matter of weeks," they added.

"Only a few months ago, about £2,000 of public money was required to repair damage caused by a previous attack.

"Yet, once again, we are faced with another mindless and utterly pointless act of vandalism that will require further repairs."

The area's MP Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, also condemned the attack.

His party colleague Kirk Wilson said he was disgusted.

"This latest incident, carried out under the cover of darkness, is yet another attempt to intimidate the Protestant community in the village and create fear among those who continue to maintain their cultural identity and traditions," Wilson said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said inquiries into the criminal damage were ongoing.

It appealed to witnesses or anyone with footage to come forward.