Police have appealed for information from the public into an incident in the early hours of Friday of last week, 8th February in which three windows were broken at an Orange hall at Main Street in Newtownbutler. Paint was also thrown over the front of the building. The damage was caused between 12.30am and 1.30am.
The incident has been widely condemned. Fermanagh SDLP Councillor, Fergus McQuillan who lives in the village said he wanted to condemn the acts of vandalism, in the strongest possible terms'.
"Thankfully, no one was injured but, if acts like these are continued, we will find ourselves reverting to violence. This must not be allowed to happen, and I call on those involved to cease this mindless activity".
Thomas Crudden, the chairman of Newtownbutler Community Development Association, said he thought the community had moved on from such behaviour.
"Our association is absolutely horrified", he stated. "Since the end of the Troubles, there's been a big improvement in the area, with both communities participating. It's a crying shame, but this attack has obviously been carried out by a small band of people who speak for nobody".
Fermanagh Sinn Fein Councillor, Thomas O'Reilly, who also lives in the town, said he 'wholly condemned the attack', which he attributed to young people.
"I say that because there were eggs thrown at the Orange Hall as well as paint and an incident where very young people were throwing eggs at cars some nights later."
The County Fermanagh Grand Master, Tom Elliott described it as 'a very deliberate and well organised attack', which he revealed, was disrupted.
"Wire grills were pulled off two windows of toughened glass, which were then broken," he said before continuing;
"A third window was being damaged when local people heard the noise just before 1.00am. Paint was also thrown against the front wall of the building".
Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact local police. The number to call with any information is 0845 600 8000, or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on the freephone number 0800 555 111.
