GAA club is attacked by arsonists

The attackers had drilled a hole in the door to force it open

There has been an arson attack at a GAA club in County Armagh.

The attack, at Collegeland GAA Club in Charlemont, was reported shortly before 0800 GMT on Saturday.

A hole was drilled in the door of the club and flammable liquid poured inside before being set alight. It caused smoke damage.

Police have appealed for anyone who has any information about the attack to get in contact with them.

It was the latest in a number of recent attacks on GAA clubs.

Last Wednesday, paint was daubed on a wall at Ballyhegan club between Loughgall and Portadown, while in December a pipe bomb was left outside the Ballelea Hurling and Camogie Club near Banbridge.

Collegeland secretary Peter McKeever said police warned him last month that clubs in the area could be targeted "in revenge" for attacks on Orange halls.

'Attack on community'

The club's chairman has called for no retaliation

The attack has been condemned by assembly members for the area.

The SDLP's Dominc Bradley said: "Those who attack community facilities be they GAA halls, Orange halls or any other venues have nothing to offer the future of this country."

Sinn Fein's Cathal Boylan said all such attacks should stop.

"This is a despicable attack. It is an attack on the entire community," he said.

Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy said "such attacks on the cultural properties of both traditions serve no useful purpose, contribute nothing to community relations and place yet another heavy burden on tax payers".