The Five Demands

Paint bomb attack at Orange hall (UTV)

An Orange hall in north Belfast has been damaged during an overnight paint bomb attack.

At least two bottles filled with paint were smashed against the front door of the hall in Clifton Street.

Members of the lodge discovered the vandalism on Thursday morning.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on the hall.

William Humphrey, DUP MLA for North Belfast, slammed those behind the attack, which he said was connected with a weekend parade.

He said: “It is disgraceful that Clifton Street Orange Hall has once been targeted in this hate crime.

“It is appalling that attacks by republicans have been a regular occurrence over recent years, particularly in the days following a parade leaving from the hall. Without doubt this is linked the church parade which departed from the hall on Sunday.

“Politicians who raise objections to legitimate parades are heightening tensions. The consequences of that are these criminal attacks by extreme people who will not tolerate others of a different persuasion,” he added.

Mr Humphrey said he has contact the council’s cleaning team to have the paint removed from the hall.

Belfast County Grand Master, George Chittick, condemned those responsible.

“We absolutely deplore the latest paint bombing of Clifton Street Orange Hall,” he said.

“Brethren in north Belfast have made great strides to make the hall a community facility for all and this attack was clearly carried out by people who have no respect or tolerance for a differing viewpoint. It is time for such wanton vandalism to stop – once and for all.”