The Orange Order in the Portadown area of Co Armagh is being subject to an orchestrated campaign of intimidation and arson attacks, the order has claimed after another attack on a local Orange hall.
The order said extensive damage was caused in a weekend attack on Ballyworkan Orange Hall, on the Tandragee Road, near Portadown. It was attacked after midnight on Friday.
Windows were broken in the building and petrol poured in before it was set on fire. It was the fifth arson attack on an Orange Hall in the Portadown area since August, said a spokesman for the order. Other attacks were at Seagoe, Tamnifacarbett, Bocombra and Ballygargan.
"There is clearly an orchestrated campaign by an organisation in this area," the spokesman added. "The police and the Northern Ireland office seem to be playing down the possibility of a deliberate campaign but it seems obvious to everyone else.
"This is a very serious situation and we call for a more determined effort from the police to catch the culprits and prevent further attacks on the cultural traditions of the Protestant community," he added.
Aghadavey Orange Hall on the Glenavy Road in Lisburn, Co Antrim, was also damaged in a suspected arson attack early yesterday.
Last month four members of the order in Co Antrim were warned by police to be on their guard against a dissident republican attack. Last Tuesday windows were smashed in Fawney Orange Hall near Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh. This followed similar attacks on the hall in November and September.
Last week Robert Saulters, who has been returned for the 12th year as grand master of the Orange Order, said 2007 was a good year for the loyal institution in terms of its "successful outreach" to make the order more generally understood and accepted.
The downside however, he added, was the continuing attacks on Orange property. "Our political leaders and other community leaders must ensure that those who seek to demonise the order are isolated and ostracised. They must not be allowed to create an environment where our property and traditions are somehow seen as fair game," he said.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey said the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Office must launch a concerted campaign against those who are attacking Orange halls.
Since the Troubles began, 282 halls have been targeted by arsonists, according to the order.
