Orange Hall attack being treated as hate crime by police

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Police have said they are treating an attack on an Orange Hall in Co Antrim as a sectarian hate crime.

Shortly after 1:20am on Saturday, it was reported that paint had been thrown over the front of the building in the Main Street of Rasharkin and graffiti daubed on walls opposite.

The attack happened just hours before a Twelfth of July parade was due to take place in the town.

We’re appealing for information after damage was caused to an Orange Hall in Rasharkin overnight. Supt McIldowney: “The Police Service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable.”

Full details: https://t.co/GhfglPaAS8 pic.twitter.com/lh2AyV9UMN

— Police Causeway Coast and Glens (@PSNICCGDistrict) July 12, 2025

PSNI Superintendent Sinead McIldowney said: “We are treating this criminal damage as a sectarian-motivated hate crime.

“The police service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable.

“We will thoroughly investigate this matter and would appeal to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference 177 of 12/07/25.

“Our officers will continue to proactively patrol the area and engage with the local community around any concerns they may have.”