TUV Councillor and party chairman Keith Ratcliffe was dismayed and disappointed to learn of the latest sectarian attack on Keady Orange on 12 July evening. While Keady district is no stranger to such acts of vandalism, the brazenness of this latest attack is particularly sinister.
When the brethren of Keady True Blues LOL 298 returned from the Co Armagh Twelfth demonstration in Lurgan, they were ‘welcomed’ by a group of youths, many of whom had their faces covered by scarves. As the brethren enjoyed tea and fellowship together, the hall then came under attack from a crowd throwing eggs.
The Orangemen departed at around 6pm but it would appear the attack on the hall continued, as the window was reported broken at around 8pm. Brambles were also dragged in front of the door to the hall.
Cllr. Ratcliffe understands that police have already interviewed several witnesses and he has appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward to the PSNI.
Commenting on the attack, Cllr. Ratcliffe said:
“It is disappointing that after enjoying a dignified parade in Lurgan, the brethren of LOL 298 have had such a dampener put on their day. While some may shrug off such an attack, claiming it was just a bunch of young people messing around, the pattern of such activity in the wider Keady district would suggest a much more sinister motive. One questions where is the respect and tolerance that nationalists have so often called for? Where is the shared space in Keady and other parts of South Armagh?”