2 HALLS HIT IN ATTACKS.

SECTARIAN attacks on two Orange halls were widely condemned yesterday.

Paint was thrown at one recently-renovated building at Clifton Street near Belfast city centre.

In a separate incident, sectarian slogans were daubed on a building in Rasharkin, Co Antrim, in an incident described by DUP councillor John Finlay as "yet another attack on the Protestant community" in the village.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: "We have condemned vandalism attacks on two halls over the weekend. Sectarian slogans were daubed on one and paint thrown at the front of other on which extensive work was recently carried out to enhance the appearance." The incident in Belfast was reported to police on Friday at 10.30pm.

Ballymoney Traditional Unionist Voice councillor Audrey Patterson said: "These cowardly attacks have been rightly viewed by the minority community of the village as an assault upon the entire Protestant population."

Sinn Fein said the targeting of Orange halls must stop.

North Belfast MLA Caral Ni Chuilin added: "This has no justification behind it other than blatant sectarianism. Let me make it clear - sectarianism has no place here."

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DAMAGE DUP's John Finlay yesterday