Orange Order seek easier compensation for attacked halls
The Government was urged today to simplify the process of securing compensation in Northern Ireland for Orange halls targeted in arson and other attacks.
Democratic Unionist MP David Simpson issued the call after he met Northern Ireland Office security minister Paul Goggins in London last night.
The Upper Bann MP, who was joined at the meeting by party colleague Nigel Dodds and Orange Order secretary Drew Nelson, called on the minister to remove a requirement for Northern Ireland chief constable Sir Hugh Orde to sign a form confirming that halls were targeted maliciously by three or more people.
“During the Troubles, agricultural premises along the border were often targeted in the dead of night and, although everybody knew why it was happening, the matter could not be proved,” he said.
“The Government recognised that these buildings deserved special categorisation because they were in isolated areas and difficult to protect.
“The DUP believes that community halls deserve to be placed in a similar category so as the compensation process can be streamlined.”
Last week the Orange Order said there had been fifty attacks on their premises since the start of July.
Three halls were attacked in the south of Co Londonderry in Tamlaght, Killygullib and Drumollish, with paint and graffiti daubed on them.
The targeting of the halls was condemned by nationalist SDLP Assembly member Patsy McGlone.
Mr Simpson said attacks on Orange halls were blatant displays of sectarian violence.
“Those who carry out such attacks see that they are hurting the Orange community directly,” he said.
“There is no greater incentive for the arsonists than to see halls, which they have attacked previously, lying derelict for months on end, as people struggle to get compensation from their insurers, if they have insurers, or from the Northern Ireland Office.
“Orange halls play a vital role in the life of many communities.
“They are often the only place in an area where the community can meet and participate in activities that extend far beyond the business of the Loyal Orders.
“In many cases, the entire community uses Orange halls. Yet this point is completely lost on those who despise the expression of any culture other than their own.
“If Orange halls are targeted for attack by evil individuals filled with hatred, then it should not be the Loyal Orders who are punished or disadvantaged.
“The law should be changed so that the excellent and wide-ranging work of the Loyal Orders within the community can resume, after an attack, as soon as possible. The Government must act on this issue.”
