Statement by the Worshipful Master of Listullycurran Truth Defenders John Brennan:
“How ironic that on the 75th anniversary of VJ Day – when the free world remembered the sacrifice to defeat fascism and totalitarianism and to uphold freedom and democracy – we discovered that the flag of one of the nations which saved the world from the forces of tyranny had been burned outside our hall.
“On Saturday evening one of the brethren noticed that the flag at Listullycurran Orange hall which had been raised at the beginning of July had been lowered and burnt.
“We are grateful to Lisburn PSNI who responded promptly to our report and sent two officers out to investigate. Police have told us they are treating this as a hate crime and rightly so. This attack was not just on the property of our lodge but on our community. There are reports of similar incidents in the area with a flag flying outside the home of a brother Orangeman also burned.
“I would appeal to members of the local community to rise above this provocation. Nothing would please the bigots responsible more than to be able to point at the Unionist community and say they were no better.
“We know that the contribution of Listullycurran Truth Defenders is recognised and appreciated by the local community. If anyone noticed anything suspicious around our hall please contact the PSNI on 101 quoting crime number 2272 and 15/8/2020.“There has been an Orange presence in Listullycurran since 1798 and if anyone is naive enough to think this disgusting attack on our community will do anything to change that they need to think again.”
