Compensation plan for hall damage

A scheme offering compensation for attacks on community halls - including Orange halls - is to be introduced.

Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said he intended to publish draft legislation and a consultation paper in June to amend the existing law.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland welcomed the move, which they said would make it easier for them to claim compensation for damage to property.

Since 1971, there have been 289 arson attacks on Orange halls.

Last year there were 27 such attacks and there have been three arson attacks on Orange halls this year.

Six-year campaign

Mr Woodward said: "I share the concern which has been expressed by all political parties about criminal attacks on community halls.

"I welcome the significant increase in policing to protect against further attacks and whilst there has been a noticeable decline, I believe that we all have a responsibility to protect community halls from this kind of wanton vandalism.

"It is very important that the insurance industry continue to do everything possible to help, but it now seems appropriate for the government to step in and help those organisations which are being victimised by criminals. "

He said the consultation paper will propose a new criteria in the Criminal Damage Order specific to community halls eligible for rates relief - including Orange halls.

It would ensure that attacks would generate an entitlement for compensation.

A spokesman for the Orange Order said they had been calling on secretaries of state to address the issue since March 2002.

"This is the culmination of a six-year campaign which involved many meetings with government ministers, the police, government agencies and the insurance industry," he said.

"We appreciate the support of MPs and the local political parties throughout our campaign."

Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff said it was unacceptable to exclude GAA halls which have been attacked from the scheme.

"This scheme is not about 'community' halls as the NIO would have us believe, it is about compensating the Orange Order," he said.

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