didnt see this posted,From Hoganstand.
09 January 2008
Politicians in Northern Ireland have strongly condemned an over night graffiti attack on a GAA premises at Ballyhegan, Co Armagh. The attack comes after a number of attacks on Orange Halls in the greater North Armagh area in recent months. The graffiti said, 'stop burning orange halls.'
Dominic Bradley MLA of the SDLP condemned the attack saying, "Those who attack community facilities be they GAA Halls, Orange Halls or any other venues have nothing to offer the future of this country. In recent months we have seen a large number of attacks on Orange Halls and we were always fearful that there would be some form of perceived retaliation on a GAA Hall. These attacks, from what ever quarter they come from, are completely wrong and deplorable. They need to stop and stop immediately; nothing has been or ever will be gained by attacking community venues."
Local SDLP Councillor John Campbell also condemned those responsible saying, "I utterly and totally condemn those responsible for the attacks on Ballyhegan GFC Grounds. Those who have penned this graffiti are cowards and there is and can be no justification for linking the attack on orange halls to GAA facilities. The people involved in the GAA in Ballyhegan and indeed throughout the length and breath of this island are equally as sickened by the attacks on Orange Halls as they are on the GAA's own facilities.
"This is a very progressive community were everyone gets on well with each other, no matter what their religion is. This attack on Ballyhegan grounds is completely wrong and those who carried out this act, I am very sure have no support in the community they perceive to represent in this area. Just as those who attacked this hall, those who attack Orange Halls have no support what so ever in this community.
"I would appeal for anyone with any information on this or any of the other attacks to contact police to help stop those responsible for these pathetic, sectarian attacks on our communities."
thought those days were in the past. :(
I wonder if the pricks who have been burning down orange halls all over mid Ulster realise they are largely responsible for this? And I suppose their repsonse will be to step up their campaign.
They can pick em!
Ballyhegan club has got a very strong cross community feel, the club would struggle financially without the support of many local businessmen many of them would struggle to tell you what colours ballyhegan wear. All the same due to its position between loughgall and richhill its a pretty easy target for thugs. In fact Clifford Peebles was arrested after having been followed from the club when firebombs were found in the boot of his car.
As already said - they picked one of the most cross community GAA clubs there is!
There are members from all sides of the community!
& a youth club set up during the summer for everyone in the community!
:-\ :-[ >:(
EDIT - http://www.ballyhegankilmore.net/youth_club/Youth_Club_2007_1.htm (http://www.ballyhegankilmore.net/youth_club/Youth_Club_2007_1.htm)
What annoys me is how they are trying to make the GAA look like the catholic equivalent of the Orange Order, this is a ridiculous comparision.
But I do agree that the guys burning the orange halls are partly responsible as some guys will take any excuse to vandalise GAA clubs. Even if not a valid or reasonable excuse.
Did you ever consider the possibility that the Orange order are burning down their own halls ??
Quote from: orangeman on January 10, 2008, 09:36:38 AM
Did you ever consider the possibility that the Orange order are burning down their own halls ??
Eh no, not until now anyway.
What your theory?
Quote from: orangeman on January 10, 2008, 09:36:38 AM
Did you ever consider the possibility that the Orange order are burning down their own halls ??
I've heard the same arguement coming from the other side, that some "taigs" were vandalising GAA property to justify attacking Orange halls
Cant imagine them seeing having their own place wrecked as worthwhile just to have an excuse to wreck someone elses place.
The Orage order are under pressure now that peace has broken out - some of them aren't liking this peace thing too much - especiaaly the Chuckle Brothers - so in their minds, the best way is to stir the sectarian pot - the best way to do it is to burn a few of their wee halls - this will lead to loyalists reacting by burning GAA halls and so the cycle continues......................
No peace and no Chuckle Brothers !
QuoteDid you ever consider the possibility that the Orange order are burning down their own halls ??
Its something that I always consider. But the same could be applied to the burning of GAA premises.
This was a ploy that billy wright used many moons ago to stir things up. However what's good for the goose is good for the gander. There are idiots everywhere...
Is it a coincidence that a lot of these attacks are in and around Portadown ?
I find it hard to believe that there has been very little made of this, yet when an Orange Hall has been attacked the media interview at least 3 or 4 different people to get their views!
Only this has been mentioned on here... :-\
BBC are VERY good at getting the news out about attacks on Orange Halls but not so good with their GAA coverage. !!!
In fairness lads, bit of graffiti is very different from an arson attack
Yeah that's right - grafitti on an orange hall would be worse than a arson attack on a GAA hall !
To be fair, the culprits managed to spell all the words correctly. So our Education minister seems to be doing a good enough job.
They could have used spellchecker ! :D
Quote from: heganboy on January 10, 2008, 04:01:58 PM
In fairness lads, bit of graffiti is very different from an arson attack
An ex-girlfriend of mines parents live about 50 yards from the club, this is what she sent me in e-mail today:
"our local pitch was wrecked the other night and mum's house got sprayed with paint- UVF You're next!!! "
Her parents wouldn't have a bitter bone in their bodies!
So I'm sorry but thats way more serious then burning a racist, sectarian bigots hall!! >:(
Very true - Gaoth Dobhair - meanwhile the Chuckle brothers keep on chuckling !!
Your ex girlfriend's folks live 50yds from the club. Trust me you might as well have put her name down for us...
This kind of personal attack is a completely different type of intimidation, and hopefully they have had the sense to involve the police.
I am pretty shocked that this is happening in ballyhegan. Goats? Any insight?
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on January 11, 2008, 01:14:50 PM
Quote from: heganboy on January 10, 2008, 04:01:58 PM
In fairness lads, bit of graffiti is very different from an arson attack
An ex-girlfriend of mines parents live about 50 yards from the club,
She a solictor?
- They obviously haven't a clue about the area, or the people living in the area! - They probably have come from Portadown, Ballyhegan is an easier target than that of the Tir Nog club in town.
I've heard very little about it to be honest! - Haven't even seen it!
Quote from: Goats Do Shave on January 11, 2008, 01:57:50 PM
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on January 11, 2008, 01:14:50 PM
Quote from: heganboy on January 10, 2008, 04:01:58 PM
In fairness lads, bit of graffiti is very different from an arson attack
An ex-girlfriend of mines parents live about 50 yards from the club,
She a solictor?
- They obviously haven't a clue about the area, or the people living in the area! - They probably have come from Portadown, Ballyhegan is an easier target than that of the Tir Nog club in town.
I've heard very little about it to be honest! - Haven't even seen it!
Heganboy, Wouldn't be much of a surprise for anyone from the area, I mentioned the proximity of the house to the club as it was directly linked to the attack on the house.
Yes she is.
My memories of Ballyhegan were that it was a very apolitical place, people just kept their heads down and got on with life, then again being stuck between Loughgall and Portadown, I'd keep my head down as well!
Quotebeing stuck between Loughgall and Portadown, I'd keep my head down as well!
Don't forget Richhill, it's lovely too...
Quote from: heganboy on January 11, 2008, 02:06:47 PM
Quotebeing stuck between Loughgall and Portadown, I'd keep my head down as well!
Don't forget Richhill, it's lovely too...
:D
I note that you say EX girlfriend !!! :D :D ;D ;D