An attack on an Orange Hall in Co Down is being treated as a sectarian hate crime, police say.
Criminal damage was caused to a stained glass window at Finnis Orange Hall on the Rathfriland Road in Dromara, which is believed to have occurred sometime over the last few weeks.
Police say they received a report on Thursday, October 13 that damage had been caused to a stained glass window.
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Rathfriland District LOL No 3 released a statement saying thousands of pounds of damage had been caused.
District Master Mark Graham said: "Many halls within Rathfriland District and indeed across the entire province have had no choice over the years other than to erect cages and shutters around the windows and doors of the halls due to continued sectarian attacks.
"It was always refreshing and uplifting to hear the brethren of Finnis state they had no need to cage their windows and doors due to having good relations within all the local community. Finnis Orange Hall sits well off the main road and has a wall and gates around the boundary.
"This was a premeditated attack on the hall where the individuals made the choice to go out, enter the car park and cause thousands of pounds of damage to a memorial window, and for what reason other than to stir up tension within the local community.
"It is very disappointing, and I hope something like this doesn't happen again."
On a visit to the hall with her party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on Saturday, DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly described the incident as "shameful".
She added: "We are deeply saddened and sickened by the attack on Finnis Orange Hall. The stained glass memorial window at the front of Finnis Orange Hall was attacked and badly damaged. This morning DUP reps from Lagan Valley and South Down met with brethren from Finnis LOL 326 to show our support.
"Finnis Orange enjoys a positive relationship with the entire community, with the hall being used by many of all backgrounds. This is welcome and therefore it is particularly sad to see this sectarian attack that has shocked all involved with the hall.
"Enough of hate and attacks. This is not the future and we must all join together to stamp out intolerance."
A statement released by Lagan Valley TUV said it was the first attack on the hall in more than 50 years.
"The attack will rightly be regarded as an attack upon the entire Protestant community of the area and is deserving of condemnation by all," it added.
PSNI Neighbourhood Inspector Adam Corner said: "Our inquiries into this incident, which we are treating as a sectarian hate crime, are continuing, and we are appealing to anyone who might have noticed any suspicious activity in the area recently, or who may have any information, to get in touch.
"The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1679 of 13/10/22."
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