Four youths have been arrested after arsonists attempted to torch two Orange halls in Co Armagh in overnight attacks.
Premises in the Keady area were targeted unsuccessfully and scorch marks left on the walls, police said.
Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy
The first case was reported to police at 10.10pm last night at Carnagh Orange Hall on the Castleblayney Road. It is believed youths using two cars were involved.
The second alarm was raised at 8.15am today at Mallantur Orange Hall on the Maydown Road near the village of Tullysaran.
Police have refused to say if the two incidents are connected.
Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said attacks on people because of their religion or attacks on property because of their religion are wrong and should stop.
"There can be no justification for this sort of behaviour. It is unacceptable and must end," he siad, "Those responsible need to reflect long and hard upon their actions and ensure that this sort of sectarian behaviour is ended."
Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy said: "Sectarianism and anti-Orange attitudes clearly exist. "We need education and political leadership and the power-sharing arrangements are clearly not trickling down to some people at the local level."
DUP Assembly member William Irwin condemned those responsible. "It is important that these hooligans do not achieve their goal of provoking violence," he said. "The Twelfth celebrations should not be marred with needless tit-for-tat attacks."
PA
