Flags and ornaments were knocked down in a field in County Tyrone ahead of Tuesday’s Twelfth celebration. The Twelfth, a Protestant celebration in Ulster, has been accused by Catholics of being sectarian, the occasion marred by violence between loyalist and republican communities.
According to reports, the items were aimed at the field on the outskirts of the village around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
The area will host a gathering of Orange Order members for the Twelfth celebration.
A spokesman for the Police of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: “The incident is being treated as a hate crime and the investigation is ongoing.
“Anyone with information about this incident or who can assist with the investigation is requested to call Dungannon Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 393 11/07/22.”
Tom Elliott, UUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, told the Irish News the vandalism was “absolutely disgraceful”.
He said: “We are working hard to prepare for the Twelfth and it is disheartening to see such bigotry towards our culture.”
The MLA added that the Twelfth is a “joyful occasion that brings family and friends together at this time of year”.
He also said: “I will be contacting the PSNI about this sectarian-motivated action.”
Dungannon DUP councilor Clement Cuthbertson added that the incident “will not stop the brothers and their families from holding a glorious Twelfth demonstration in the village”.
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The Twelfth is a Protestant celebration in Ulster held on July 12 and celebrating the Battle of the Boyne, when William of Orange – also known as King Billy – defeated Catholic King James II in 1690.
Protestant Loyalists see the Twelfth as an important part of their culture, while Catholic Irish nationalists see many aspects of it as sectarian.
The routes of certain Orange parades became intense points of friction during the Troubles, often leading to widespread riots and violence.
While the Orangemen insisted they had the right to parade on public roads along long-established traditional routes, nationalist residents protest what they characterized as displays of sectarian triumphalism sweeping through their neighborhoods.
Of Tuesday’s 573 loyal order parades, 33 follow routes considered sensitive.
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On Monday evening, about 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region.
In a statement issued about 90 minutes before the pyres were lit, the PSNI said it had received a number of complaints and was collecting evidence.
†[We] will assess to determine whether any criminal offenses have been committed,” it added.
Caoimhe Archibald, East Derry MLA for Sinn Féin, posted a photo on Twitter of a bonfire with posters of her and other non-unionist politicians.
She said: “Burning flags and election posters on bonfires is wrong, deeply offensive and a hate crime. I reported this to the PSNI.
“It is the responsibility of union leaders, political leaders and community leaders to stand up to displays of sectarian hatred and make it clear that there is no place for them.”
In Belfast, the Orange Order’s County Grand Master, Spencer Beattie, said about 10,000 members and band members of the Order will participate in the capital.
He said: “In 2020 we were canceled due to Covid, so this is the first time we are back on the streets in our full parade.
“We’ve had several smaller parades downsized in recent years due to Covid, but it’s great to be back in full swing.
“Hopefully the day will be a celebration for everyone who gets back out on the streets and enjoys the day.”