Sectarian graffiti attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall condemned as calls grow for police to act

Rasharkin Orange Hall was attacked with sectarian graffiti overnight.

Rasharkin Orange Hall has again been targeted in what unionist representatives have described as a sectarian attack, after graffiti referencing the IRA was sprayed on the building overnight.

The latest incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, July 14, has prompted calls for a police investigation and condemnation from political representatives, who say the attack is the latest in a series targeting the hall.

‘More than a building’

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the attack was directed not only at the building itself but at the local Protestant community.

“Last night’s attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall was but the latest in a long series on the building. But the truth is that Rasharkin Orange Hall is more than a building. It is a symbol of the minority Protestant community in the village,” he said.

Referring to the graffiti, Mr Allister added:

“The attack is made all the more chilling by the nature of the slogans crudely spray painted on the hall. Repeatedly they reference the IRA which waged a 30-year campaign of terror against Protestants and in so doing filled many graves.”

The Traditional Unionist Voice leader also criticised Sinn Féin, claiming the party should condemn both the attack and the IRA. Those comments reflect his political opinion.

‘Yet another sectarian attack’

TUV Ballymoney councillor Jonathan McAuley described the vandalism as another attempt to intimidate members of the Protestant community in Rasharkin.

“This morning we have learned of yet another sectarian attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall, carried out under the cover of darkness for no reason other than to raise tensions and, it would appear, intimidate the few remaining Protestants in the village into leaving,” he said.

Mr McAuley said he had contacted police following the incident.

“I have spoken with the PSNI this morning regarding the attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall, and I await to see what action, if any, will be taken. Those responsible should be identified and held accountable.”

He also criticised the lack of any public condemnation from local Sinn Féin representatives and contrasted the incident with recent criticism of the Finvoy Eleventh Night bonfire.

‘There can be no place for sectarian hatred’

North Antrim TUV Assembly candidate Kirk Wilson said he was “disgusted” by the attack, which he described as another attempt to intimidate the Protestant community.

“I am disgusted that Rasharkin Orange Hall has once again been targeted in a sectarian attack. This latest incident, carried out under the cover of darkness, is yet another attempt to intimidate the Protestant community in the village and create fear among those who continue to maintain their cultural identity and traditions,” he said.

Mr Wilson added that those responsible “must be identified and brought before the courts”.

He concluded:

“There can be no place for sectarian hatred or intimidation in our society. Whether it is an attack on an Orange Hall or any other community facility, such behaviour must be condemned unequivocally. The authorities must take action to ensure that further incidents of this nature are prevented.”

Police treat incident as sectarian hate crime

The PSNI has confirmed it is treating the incident as a sectarian hate crime and has launched an investigation into the criminal damage.

Inspector Armour said:

“At 8am, we received a report that graffiti had been sprayed on a building in the Main Street area of the town at approximately 1.20am.

“This is being treated as a sectarian hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.”

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the Main Street area around the time of the incident, or who has CCTV, dash-cam or other footage, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the PSNI witness appeal form, quoting reference 392 of 14/07/26, or call 101. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.