Irish Republican News · November 24, 2003

Orangeman resigns over murder

The father of John Allen, who was shot and killed by gunmen two weeks ago in Ballyclare, resigned from the Orange Order today.

John Allen Snr said he believes the man who targeted his son is in the order.

``I can no longer be a party to any organisation which includes murderers --. especially the murderer who set up my son,'' he said.

Speaking to the Sunday World newspaper he said: ``I have been a member of the Orange Order for the past 30 years.

``I meant no harm to anyone. It was just something I believed in.

``But now I have discovered since my son's murder that I am in the same organisation as the person who organised and prompted Jock's killing.

``I will be handing my Orange sash and my Royal Black Preceptory collarette back to both organisations.

``And I will be telling them that if after all these years, there is room for terrorists in their ranks - there is no room for me and the likes of law-abiding people like me,''

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said the door was open for any member of the order to make a complaint about any other member through the lodge `privately'.

He said: ``We would expect Orangemen to stand by the Ten Commandments.

``Especially the one which says thou shalt not kill.''

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