Rasharkin Orange hall members describe fear after 51 attacks in 30 years

An Orange Order hall in Rasharkin, County Antrim, has been targeted in 51 incidents over 30 years, according to its members, who say repeated attacks have left them fearful and unable to hold some events at night. The lodge describes it as Northern Ireland’s “most-attacked Orange hall”.

Police recorded 17 hate crimes against Orange and Apprentice Boys’ halls across Northern Ireland in the past year, the second-highest annual total in five years and an increase on the previous two years, BBC News reports.

Leigh Gerrow, a member of Rasharkin Chosen Few lodge, said attacks had ranged from graffiti to attempted arson. The hall now has steel doors and no windows, he said, while members avoid parking outside in case their cars are targeted.

“Sometimes you need to take a step back and realise that’s not a normal way to be living,” he said.

The lodge says it has lost confidence in the police after CCTV footage showed a patrol car driving over freshly painted graffiti outside the hall in July 2025. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers had been patrolling the area about 10 minutes before the reported damage. It said they responded after receiving a report at 01:22, around seven minutes after the time shown on the footage, and that nobody was present when officers were nearby.

The force said officers examined footage of the July 2025 incident and a separate attack in June 2026, but judged it unsuitable for a public appeal. It said a comprehensive policing plan was in place to prevent further attacks in Rasharkin and condemned sectarianism, intimidation and hate crime.

The lodge’s senior officer, Rodney Cubitt, said fundraising events had to be held during the day because members felt it was safer. The lodge dates its history to 1796, he said, and wanted to maintain its presence in the village.

PSNI district commander Yvonne McManus said repeated attacks should not be treated as an isolated series of incidents. The force had considered the wider pattern of offences and adopted a different policing approach, she said, adding that attacks could create fear and damage relationships within a community.

DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee called the attacks worrying and unacceptable, and said police needed to be active on the ground and investigate incidents fully.