Church is damaged in arson attack

The sacristy of the Ballycastle church was extensively damaged

A Catholic church in County Antrim has been extensively damaged in an arson attack.

The Fire and Rescue Service was called to the church on Glenshesk Road in Ballycastle just after midnight on Tuesday.

The sacristy window was broken and flammable liquid poured in and then set alight.

The sacristy area of the Church of the Immaculate Conception was extensively damaged in the attack.

SDLP assembly member Sean Farren described the attack as outrageous.

"My first reaction is to condemn this in the strongest possible way," he said.

"I hope that it is not in retaliation - not the beginning of a tit-for-tat round of attacks on community property following the burning of the Orange hall at Lavin.

"This, as the crow flies, is not all that far away."

Ulster Unionist assembly member Rev Robert Coulter also condemned the arson attack.

"An attack on the church or place of worship is an attack on all that is good and honourable in our society," he said.

"This wanton vandalism is totally unacceptable and I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI immediately".