Politicians condemn three attacks on Apprentice Boys Hall in Derry

SINN FEIN and the SDLP have condemned the most recent attack on the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in Derry.

Paint was thrown over the building in Society Street – the third attack on the premises in the in as many days.

Senior members of Sinn Féin are planning to meet with the Apprentice Boys in a “show of solidarity” against a spate of incidents which they say are “heightening tensions”.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: “The Apprentice Boys of Derry play a positive role in the life of Derry.

“Recent shameful attacks on their Memorial Hall must be condemned.”

Police discovered the latest damage during a patrol in the early hours of Thursday.

A PSNI statement said: “Police are aware of previous incidents and extra patrols were put in place.”

Phillip Gillen, tour guide for the Memorial Hall, says the most recent attack was the worst.

“We just got the hall all cleaned up and spotless and now it’s looking worse than ever.

“The last three night’s we’ve suffered paint bomb damage.

“We’ve just got the doors done, they’ve been damaged at a lot of cost. It’s up high and down low on the building and it just looks an absolute mess, it’s very disheartening.”

The attack has been condemned by Foyle MP Mark Durkan.

“Attacks like these are attacks on the entire community,” said the SDLP man. “It is not enough just to register our disgust and condemnation.

“We want to see people stand up and give whatever information may be of use to the police without delay, so that the small minority who are all too often responsible for carrying out this type of attack are apprehended and brought to justice.”

Sinn Fein councillor Colly Kelly said all attacks in the Bishop Street area must stop.

He added: “In the past week we have seen attacks on First Derry Presbyterian church and the now the Apprentice Boys Hall.

“Paint bombs have also been thrown from the Fountain Estate out onto Bishop Street hitting the fronts of a number of homes in Long Tower Court and others landing in the roadway.

“We cannot allow these sorts of senseless actions to occur in this day and age nor be used to heighten tensions in and around the greater Bishop Street/Fountain area.”

The PSNI said their enquiries are ongoing and asked anyone with more information to pass it on by contacting Strand Road Police Station on 0845 600 8000.