Sectarian hate crime at Rasharkin Orange Hall condemned

A sectarian hate crime targeting Rasharkin Orange Hall in the early hours of Saturday morning has been condemned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), local MP Jim Allister, and Councillor Jonathan McAuley.

At around 1.20am on Saturday, 12th July, police received a report that paint had been thrown at the Orange Hall on Main Street, and sectarian slogans had been daubed on nearby roads and footpaths.

The incident occurred just hours before the village was due to host Twelfth of July celebrations.

Superintendent Sinead McIldowney, District Commander for Causeway Coast and Glens, confirmed the attack is being treated as a sectarian-motivated hate crime:

“The Police Service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable.

“We will thoroughly investigate this matter and would appeal to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference 177 of 12/07/25.

“Our officers will continue to proactively patrol the area and engage with the local community around any concerns they may have.”

Political condemnation

Jim Allister, TUV MP for North Antrim, issued a strong statement condemning the attack and criticising the absence of visible police presence:

“The overnight sectarian attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall and the painting of terrorist slogans in the village, before it today hosts Twelfth celebrations, typifies the unbridled hatred of Orange and Unionist culture that is designed to drive out its remaining Protestant residents.

“The local unionist community will nonetheless not be deterred by this latest manifestation of sectarian hatred.

“The precedent of such attacks and therefore the predictability of such on the 11th night ought to have led to a police presence in the village which clearly was absent.

“I look forward to seeing the parade later today in Rasharkin and stand with my constituents who have for so long borne such republican hatred.”

TUV Councillor Jonathan McAuley also condemned the incident, saying it reflects a growing intolerance of unionist identity:

“This morning around 01.20 republicans launched yet another attack on Rasharkin Orange Hall. The hall was attacked with paint and sectarian slogans were painted on roads and footpaths in the vicinity of the hall, ahead of today’s 12th celebrations in the village.

“This is the ‘New Ireland’ that Sinn Féin rants about and wants the loyalist people to embrace.

“I would urge anyone with information to forward it to the PSNI.”

Public urged to report information

The PSNI is appealing for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage to come forward. Reports can be made via 101, quoting reference 177 of 12/07/25, online at www.psni.police.uk/report, or anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.