Third Orange Hall damaged in arson attack

The Police Service of Northern Ireland was today investigating the third arson attack on an Orange Lodge Hall in Co Tyrone in…

The Police Service of Northern Ireland was today investigating the third arson attack on an Orange Lodge Hall in Co Tyrone in the last week.

Damage was caused to the front of the building on the Tullymoan Road in Strabane after a tyre was placed against the door and set alight.

PSNI officers discovered the fire shortly before 1 a.m this morning. "It is believed a car was heard speeding away from the scene a short time before the fire was spotted," a police spokeswoman said. She appealed for anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious around midnight to contact police.

The arson attack is the third in the area in the last six days. Police were already investigating a possible link between two separate arson attacks on Orange halls in Co Tyrone on Monday and Wednesday nights. Minor damage was caused when tyres were set alight at the front door of a hall in Douglas Bridge near Strabane on Wednesday night.

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Meanwhile, a fire extensively damaged a hall about 10 miles away at Garvetagh Road in Castlederg on Monday night.

A police spokesman said officers were also investigating the painting of sectarian graffiti on the walls of the Douglas Bridge hall recently.

PA