Graffiti Incident at Rasharkin Orange Hall
Graffiti sprayed on Rasharkin Orange Hall in the early hours of Tuesday morning is being investigated by police as a sectarian hate crime.
The vandalism was reported at 08:00 BST on Tuesday and is believed to have occurred overnight.
Political Response
Democratic Unionist Party councillors issued a joint statement noting this was the second attack on the hall in recent weeks and one of many over the years.
"There remains a small unrepresentative group who just want to display their sectarian intolerance of anything from a different tradition," said councillors Mervyn Storey, Darryl Wilson, and John McAuley.
"Those who talk much about intolerance and demand respect for their culture and tradition seem incapable of displaying the same," they added.
"It's time for those in leadership in republicanism in the village to call this sectarian hatred out and condemn it for what it is, an attack on the Protestant community of the village."
Jim Allister, the area's Member of Parliament and leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, also condemned the attack.
His party colleague Kirk Wilson expressed his disgust at the incident.
"This latest incident, carried out under the cover of darkness, is yet another attempt to intimidate the Protestant community in the village and create fear among those who continue to maintain their cultural identity and traditions," Wilson said.
Police Investigation
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that inquiries into the criminal damage are ongoing.
They have appealed for witnesses or anyone with footage related to the incident to come forward.
