Orange hall fires 'may be linked'

Garvetagh Orange Hall was extensively damaged in the blaze

A possible link is being investigated between two separate arson attacks on Orange halls in County Tyrone, police have said.

Tyres were set alight at the front door of a hall in Douglas Bridge near Strabane on Wednesday night. The fire caused minor damage.

The police said a motive for the fire has not yet been established.

On Monday night, a fire extensively damaged a hall about 10 miles away at Garvetagh Road in Castlederg.

A police spokesman said they would be paying attention to all halls in the Strabane area.

The spokesman added that police were investigating the painting of sectarian graffiti on the walls of the Douglas Bridge hall recently.

'Extra security'

Orangeman Ronnie Hill, who checked the Strabane hall a few hours before the fire, said he did not believe local people were involved.

"We have good relations with all sides of the community in the village," he said.

"We march through the village each year to our Orange service. People of all denominations stand out at their doors and watch us parading.

"We're friendly with our neighbours, we wish nobody any ill. I'm confident that it's outsiders."

Ulster Unionist assembly member for the area Derek Hussey called for extra security around Orange halls.

"The local commander does need additional resources. Those resources may not be police, they could be military," he said.

"I also believe that government has a responsibility in that there should be aid to isolated rural community resources like Orange halls in our area, to upgrade security, so that this sort of incident can be averted."