Published Wednesday, 08 August 2012
The Orange Order saidi the attacks are a campaign against Orange heritage. (© Getty)
Two wheelie bins were pushed against the front gates of Glenavy Protestant Hall in Co Antrim in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The bins were then set alight, causing scorch damage to the building on Main Street in the village.
Last month paint bombs were thrown at the hall, and it was also damaged earlier this year.
No one was inside the hall during the arson attack, which the Orange Order said was part of an ongoing campaign.
"This latest deliberate attack appears to be part of an ongoing campaign - which is becoming more serious and sinister in its nature - against the Orange culture and heritage in south Antrim," said an order spokesman.
"As an Institution, we would urge the police to devote more resources towards the prevention and detection of such attacks on the Protestant community in Glenavy."
Danny Kinahan, the Ulster Unionist MLA for South Antrim, condemned the attack.
"This is the third time this year that the hall has been attacked and it is clear that someone is seeking to create and exploit divisions within the local community.
"I know that the vast majority of the local community want nothing to do with such activities and instead wish to live in peace and harmony with all of their neighbours.
"The only way we will build a shared future is by respecting each other's culture and rejecting those who would seek to divide us," he added.
Police say they are investigating the incident and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.