Orange hall destroyed in fire

Second attack on Ligoniel hall within a week

A hall belonging to the Protestant Orange Order has been destroyed by fire, less than a week after suffering extensive damage in a similar attack.

Ligoniel Orange hall in north Belfast was attacked and set alight on the morning of 12 July, the climax of the Protestant marching season.

Billy Ross, chairman of the restoration committee which was set up on Friday to assess the damage, has said members are devastated.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on Orange Order halls throughout the province.

Brackey Orange hall near Sixmilecross, Omagh, suffered scorch damage in an attack on Sunday night.

It is understood a hole was cut in the roof of the building and flammable liquid was poured in.

The fire at the County Tyrone hall caused smoke damage to walls and floors.

Two other Orange halls in the Omagh area and a building belonging to the Order in County Down were also attacked in the past week.

Two petrol bombs were thrown at the front of Newtownsaville Orange hall at Beragh on Monday.

One of them ignited causing scorch damage to a window frame.

The remains of two petrol bombs were found at Gortaclare Orange hall, also near Omagh, just a few days beforehand.

The hall sustained minor scorch damage.

Another Orange hall in Moira, County Down, was also attacked. Damage was caused to the building's exterior wall on the Colane Road.