The attack on Clifton Street Orange Hall

[British and Proud]

On Friday, 12th December the BBC published the following story:


Iconic Orange hall to remove cage

The Orange hall at Clifton Street is famous for its statue of King William.


A steel cage which has protected an iconic Orange hall in north Belfast from attacks is to be taken down.

Orange brethren at the hall on Clifton Street are planning a complete face-lift for the landmark building.

The hall is close to the Carlisle Circus interface which separates the loyalist Shankill estate from the republican New Lodge area.

The work is part of a city council initiative to improve the appearance of main roads going into the city centre.

The hall was built in the 1880s. During the Troubles windows were blocked up and the building surrounded by the cage to prevent arson and paint attacks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7776252.stm

Here are some photo's of the building:


http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll18/filledwithforeboding/WINSTONANDULSTER047.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll18/filledwithforeboding/WINSTONANDULSTER046.jpg



On the 20th March 2009, The Irish News published the following:



Protective cage removed from Orange building
By Barry McCaffrey
20/03/2009

END OF AN ERA: Workmen remove the grille from the front of the Orange Hall in Clifton Street, Belfast yesterday PICTURE: Declan Roughan

A STEEL cage which protected one of the most attacked Orange halls in Ireland for more than three decades was finally removed yesterday.

http://www.irishnews.com/appnews/540/5860/2009/3/20/613109_375902644882Protective.html


On Tuesday, 31st March the BBC then published this story:


Hall petrol bombing 'murder bid'

About 50 people were attending a meeting inside the hall

A petrol bomb attack on an Orange hall in Belfast was attempted murder, an Orange Order spokesman has said.

The attack happened at Clifton Street Orange Hall, near Carisle Circus, on Tuesday night while about 50 Orangemen were meeting inside.

Police were called about 2210 BST and found one petrol bomb burnt out on the ground close to the hall. Three others were found nearby.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7975710.stm


It didn't take them long, did it?

[Orange&BlueBear]

'Sectarian attackers' target cars

A number of cars have been damaged in what local people have said was a sectarian attack in the West Circular Road area of west Belfast.

Windscreens and windows of at least 10 vehicles were smashed.

One resident of the mainly Protestant area said it was the latest in a string of attacks.

"I was sitting in my house and the next thing I got a knock at my door to say my car windows had been put in," he said.

"We need cameras round here, because it isn't the first time it's happened."

DUP councillor William Humphrey said meetings had taken place with police and community representatives to try to prevent sectarian attacks.

"It is appalling that anyone should behave in such a way and wantonly damage peoples' hard earned possessions," he said.

"I have spoken to the police and been assured that extra patrols will be deployed in the area over the weekend to protect both people and property."

Sinn Fein assembly member Alex Maskey said the attacks were not wanted.

"Those behind the sectarian attacks on cars on the West Circular Road and Springfield Road junction are nothing more than mindless bigots," he said.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the attacks to contact them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8004349.stm


More attacks in this part of North/West Belfast.