Failed arson attack on Orange Hall

Three petrol bombs have failed to set fire to an Orange Hall in Co Antrim.

They missed their intended target at Ballynadrentagh, on the Diamond Road near Crumlin, and were discovered by police shortly before 11pm last night. Detectives are treating the incident as attempted arson.

Another hall belonging to the organisation suffered smoke damage and charring to the floor on the Glenavy Road in Lisburn, Co Antrim, at around 4.30am yesterday.

The latest incidents came on the back of claims by the Orange Order on Saturday that its property was being targeted in an orchestrated campaign of sectarian arson attacks.

Ballyworkan Orange Hall on the Tandragee Road in Portadown, Co Armagh, was also targeted at the weekend. Its windows were smashed, petrol was poured in and was set alight.

An Orange Order spokesman accused the Northern Ireland Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland of playing down the possibility of a deliberate campaign attacking the organisation's property.

The Portadown attack was condemned by Northern Ireland Office security minister Paul Goggins and Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy.

PA

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