FOLLOWING the latest spate of arson attacks on churches, schools, Orange halls and public bars, the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, said Northern Ireland could "ill afford these acts of sectarian madness". Mr Trimble was speaking after a public bar in Crumlin, Co Antrim, became the 30th building in Northern Ireland to be burned in an arson attack since the beginning of the year.
Thirteen churches, seven Orange halls, eight schools and one GAA/AOH property have been damaged since January 1st, according to RUC statistics.
Early yesterday the bar in Main Street, Crumlin was discovered to be on fire. There was serious smoke and scorch damage but the fire was put out by the RUC, which is treating it as malicious.
A house in Victoria Park in Newtownards, Co Antrim, was also damaged in an arson attack. A neighbour discovered the fire at 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night. Fire had been started in several areas in the house. The occupants were out and no one was injured.
Mr Trimble said such tit for tat arson tacks were an "affront to human right, freedom of religious expression". The Upper Bann MP, who visited two Catholic churches which have been destroyed in arson attacks in his constituency within the last two weeks, called on all political leaders to use their influence to stop the violence.
"No cause is furthered, no political aspirations are realised by the use of terrorist violence," he said. "This cannot go on. It must stop, now. If we are to create a new society in which we can face the future with confidence then everyone must realise that the sectarian behaviour we have witnessed recently has no place in it."