Ballymoney councillor John Finlay has condemned the weekend attacks on the Apprentice Boys Club in Rasharkin on Saturday evening. He described the behaviour of republicans as childish, yet very serious as local republicans verbally threatened brethren. He also described them as a group who lack respect for other cultures. Later in the evening Rasharkin Orange Hall was attacked with paint bombs.
John Finlay has described the situation in Dunloy as concerning and compared it to that of ethnic cleansing of Protestants in the North Antrim area.
John Finlay said:
“On Saturday evening, as the local apprentice boys club returned from Londonderry the club and band was attacked with stones from local republican thugs. Despite the crowd being marshalled over forty stones were thrown at those of us on parade. One band member was hit. The band and club behaved extremely well given the fact that they had stones and abuse thrown at them. Many of the members were also hounded with abuse and threats, including death threats. Later that evening Rasharkin Orange Hall was attacked again with paint bombs.
This is a group of people who lack respect for other cultures despite Mr Adams's recent attack on the loyal orders, describing us as lacking respect for republicans. This is clearly not the case. Our brethren walked with dignity and did not retaliate despite threats and stones being thrown at them.
This latest series of attacks comes after a tense and troublesome Twelfth period were the hall along with Protestant homes were attacked in a series of nights up to the Twelfth day. Several Protestants have been forced out of the area as a result.
I call upon the PSNI to protect Protestants as well as property in the area as we as Protestants are a community under siege.” the DUP councillor said.
