Republican News · Thursday 20 July 2000

[An Phoblacht]

Orange Hall burnings must stop

Sinn Féin North Belfast Assembly member Gerry Kelly said this week that the burning of Orange halls will achieve nothing and called on those responsible to stop their activities immediately. He was speaking after an Orange hall in the Ligoniel area of North Belfast was burnt. ``In spite of the provocative behaviour of the Orange Order in the last week, its desire to foist its views upon all and sundry and its determination to parade through areas where its members are not wanted by local residents,'' said Kelly, ``nothing will be achieved by damaging property belonging to the Orange Order.''

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin had spoken out on Thursday, 13 July, after the burning of an Orange Order hall at Bailieboro, County Cavan. ``It was a sectarian act,'' he said. ``Sectarianism is alien to the Irish republican tradition and cannot be allowed to besmirch the record of good community relations in Counties Cavan and Monaghan.''


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