In a troubling incident, Rasharkin Orange Hall was vandalised overnight, just hours before the North Antrim 12th celebrations set to take place in the village.
The attack included graffiti sprayed on the hall’s exterior as well as on the nearby footpath and road, raising concerns among local residents and community leaders.
The graffiti, which contained inflammatory messages, was discovered early this morning by members of the local community who were preparing for the festivities.
Shortly after 1.20am on Saturday, 12th July, police received a report of criminal damage caused to an Orange Hall in the Main Street area of Rasharkin.
Paint had been thrown over the front of the building and graffiti daubed on walls opposite.
Commenting, District Commander for Causeway Coast and Glens, Superintendent Sinead McIldowney said: “We are treating this criminal damage as a sectarian-motivated hate crime.
“The Police Service condemns all sectarian hate crime and criminal damage caused to any property is absolutely unacceptable.
“We will thoroughly investigate this matter and would appeal to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference 177 of 12/07/25.
“Our officers will continue to proactively patrol the area and engage with the local community around any concerns they may have.”
You can also report online at https://www.psni.police.uk/report , or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
This isn’t the first time this Orange Hall has been attacked. A similar incident occurred last August.