The Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Willie Ross, has condemned the arson attack which destroyed an Orange hall in Dungiven, Co Derry, on Wednesday night, saying that republicans were responsible but that they would not succeed in intimidating Orangemen.
The incident was also condemned by Mr Gerard Lynch of the SDLP, who said it was important to avoid a knee jerk response to the arson attack, which he condemned.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said that the attack played into the hands of those who wished to foster sectarian divisions in the community.