Hall arsons are 'ethnic assault'

Tamnificarbett Orange Hall was attacked over the weekend

The head of the Orange Order has condemned weekend arson attacks on two of its halls in County Armagh.

The buildings at Tamnificarbett and Bocombra were both extensively damaged by smoke.

Grand Master Robert Saulters said 33 halls had been targeted since July and he has called for an increase in security around the buildings.

He said: "Attacks on our halls are a form of ethnic assault, a direct attack on Protestant religion and culture."

Mr Saulters said that about 300 Orange Halls had been attacked during the past 30 years.

But he called on politicians to do more than condemn the incidents.

"Politicians have a moral duty to help create the sort of society where attacks on our halls, our religion and our culture are totally unacceptable," he said.

He said he had urged Orangemen in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to be vigilant and also work with the police.

"We want the police to step up the protection they give to our property and we want to see the courts send out a message that these attacks are very serious crimes," he said.