Updated: 8.25 pm
GARDAÍ IN DONEGAL are investigating an overnight fire at the Orange Order Hall in the town of Convoy, in the early hours of this morning.
A Garda statement said the hall had been “extensively” damaged, while local reports and images suggest the building, near Lifford, has been completely destroyed.
The Presbyterian church in Convoy was also targeted by suspected arsonists last night.
A Garda spokesperson told TheJournal.ie an attempt was made to set fire to the church on the Letterkenny road in the town, and that a Garda criminal damage investigation was under way.
The fire damage in this case is not thought to be extensive, but the Reverend Colin McKibbin told BBC News the back door of the church had been kicked off its hinges, a Bible set alight, and that the attackers attempted to set fire to the pulpit.
The DUP’s Diane Dodds, an MEP for Northern Ireland, has condemned the destruction of the Orange Order hall as “Another shameful act of intolerance in the Irish Republic.”
This is the second time in just three weeks that an Orange Order establishment has been burned out in Co Donegal, after the hall in Newtowncunningham was destroyed on 14 September.
Local Sinn Féin councillor Liam Doherty told TheJournal.ie that the community was “shocked” by the incident.
Even at the height of the Troubles we never had any issues with the Orange Hall. So why now?
This afternoon, First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness joined in expressing their outrage at the attacks.
McGuinness said he was “infuriated” by last night’s arson, adding “there was nothing republican about it.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say