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The Rasharkin Chosen Few Orange lodge in Northern Ireland has endured numerous attacks on its hall over the past three decades, with members describing the building as the region’s most targeted Orange hall. Since its establishment, the lodge has faced 51 separate incidents, ranging from graffiti vandalism to attempts at arson. These continual threats have not only inflicted physical damage but have also created a climate of fear and intimidation that has profoundly affected the local Orangemen and their ability to openly celebrate their cultural heritage.
Police records reveal an escalating pattern of hate crimes directed at Orange and Apprentice Boys’ halls across Northern Ireland, with 17 incidents recorded in the last year alone—marking a rise compared to previous years and one of the highest totals in recent times. Despite the severity of these events, members of the Rasharkin lodge have expressed a loss of trust in law enforcement, fueled in part by video footage showing a police patrol car driving directly over graffiti painted on a road near the hall without responding to the vandalism. Such incidents contribute to the perception among Orangemen that their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
Leigh Gerrow, a lodge member, highlighted the impact these attacks have had on the hall itself, explaining that the repeated damage has forced them to install steel doors and remove all windows for security reasons. Furthermore, members now avoid parking their vehicles outside to reduce the risk of vandalism or assault. Gerrow described the ongoing hostility as an attempt not only to damage property but to intimidate the entire community represented by the hall, conveying a hostile message aimed at exclusion and fear. “Sometimes you need to take a step back and realise that’s not a normal way to be living,” he remarked.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) maintained that they have put robust measures in place to prevent further attacks and condemned all forms of sectarianism and hate crime. Senior lodge officer Rodney Cubitt underscored how these hostile actions have hindered the lodge’s ability to conduct its charitable activities, which are now limited to daylight hours for safety reasons. He also emphasized the lodge’s longstanding history since 1796 and the importance of maintaining a presence within the village despite these challenges. Political figures, including Democratic Unionist Party MLA Cheryl Brownlee, have spoken out against the rise in such attacks, calling them unacceptable and urging the PSNI to take more visible and effective action on the ground to restore community confidence
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