skip to main content

Attack on Fermanagh GAA club condemned

Reg Empey - Attacks unnecessary and stupid
Reg Empey - Attacks unnecessary and stupid

Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew has condemned the arson attack on St Mary's GAA club in Fermanagh.

The attack on the club in Maguiresbridge took place yesterday afternoon.

Ms Gildernew described the attack as despicable and praised the GAA's role in the local community.

'We need to cut out the sectarian cancer in our society that provides the oxygen for sectarian attacks such as this and the attacks in recent days that we have seen on Orange Halls. Sectarian attacks damage us all as a society,' she said.

Ulster Unionists leader Sir Reg Empey said those responsible were playing into the hands of those who were attacking and burning Orange halls.

He called the attacks unnecessary and stupid, and said the last thing anyone needed in Northern Ireland was tit-for-tat sectarian attacks that targeted GAA clubs and Orange halls.

'Those who are attempting to ramp up tensions and provoke a retaliatory response by attacking Orange halls must not be given the fuel they need,' he said.

Graffiti was also painted on the walls of the club in Drumgoon near Maguiresbridge. The extent of the damage is unknown.

A sectarian motive is being investigated in the attack, which took place on Wednesday afternoon.

It is believed a window in a storeroom was broken and flammable liquid poured inside in an attempt to set fire to the building.

PSNI area commander Alwin Barton condemned the incident and appealed to the community for assistance.

Police have appealed for information.