The TUV has condemned pro-IRA graffiti which appeared overnight outside Rasharkin Orange Hall.
Local councillor Jonathan McAuley said:
“On being made aware of this graffiti this morning I immediately contacted the PSNI and once they have investigated the scene I will be pressing the council to clean up this sinister vandalism.
“It is important to remember that there are many victims of IRA violence still in our community and it is particularly significant that the graffiti appeared just days before we as Orangemen and women mark Orange Victims' Day.
“This Sunday Orange brethren will attend services and events across Northern Ireland to remember the 339 members of the Institution who were murdered during the terrorist campaign, the vast majority by the IRA. 1st September was chosen as Orange Victims' Day because on that date in 1975 IRA murderers stormed into Tullyvallen Orange Hall during a lodge meeting, and murdered four Orangemen. A fifth member subsequently died later as a result of the injuries sustained. There’s nothing glorious or laughable about that.”
North Antrim MP Jim Allister said:
“This is a very sinister development clearly designed to intimidate and instil fear in the minority Unionist community of Rasharkin. I trust the police will act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice.
“It is important to put this incident in context. Recently we have seen the BBC broadcast, without so much as an apology, pro-IRA chanting from Dublin during the homecoming event for Team Ireland following the Olympics. Similarly, there has been uncritical coverage of a rap group which glorifies Republican violence by our public service broadcaster.
“The mainstreaming of support for the most murderous terrorist organisation in Western Europe is not something which should be accepted and I and my party will continue to challenge such insults to victims. I trust those responsible in the media will reflect on their part in this incident and think about how they would feel if graffiti supporting a group responsible for the murder of their loved ones appeared in their area.”
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston added:
“I want to assure the minority community in Rasharkin that my office is there for them to assist them in any way we can in the days going forward. I trust those responsible will be brought to justice and know that this development will only strengthen the resolve of the Institution to support events on Sunday to remember the victims of the IRA.”