Northern Ireland

Condemnation after lorry and car painted in Armagh county colours set alight

An SDLP councillor has called on supporters to ‘rise above it, nothing will take the shine of a brilliant day in Dublin’

The overnight fire
The lorry, which had been painted orange and white, was damaged in the overnight fire. PICTURE: MULLABRACK GFC/X
By Suzanne McGonagle

Arson attacks on a lorry and a car painted in Armagh county colours have been branded “reprehensible and reckless”.

The lorry had been parked close to Mullabrack GAA club on the main Armagh to Newry Road, when it is believed to have been set alight overnight. It had been painted orange and white and featured the words ‘Armagh 4 Sam’.

Sinn Féin councillor Brona Haughey said: “I condemn those responsible for setting alight two vehicles in Mullabrack and Ballymacnab last night which were painted orange and white backing Armagh footballers.

“On what was a joyous day for the county, this was a reprehensible and reckless attack on the whole community and those involved should face justice.

“There is no place for hate or discrimination in our society and I would urge anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI.”

Fire appliances from Armagh and Newry stations attended the blaze, which was extinguished and the incident dealt with by 1.32am on Monday.

The cause of fire is being treated as “deliberate ignition”.

Meanwhile, a car that had been parked on the main Newtownhamilton Road in Ballymacnab was also set on fire.

Both vehicles had been bedecked in the Orchard county colours ahead of the All Ireland final on Sunday.

Sharing photographs of the damage to the lorry on social media, Mullabrack GFC said: “Despite the overnight torching of our signs and flags this will not dampen our spirits as we welcome Sam home”.

SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said he was “disgusted and heartbroken”.

“I think is safe to say it wasn’t disappointed Galway supports behind these vile acts,” he said.

“Every single right thinking person will condemn this. This attack is not reflective of the local Mullagbrack - Markethill community who work together for the betterment of everyone.

“They will be united in the condemnation of this.”

He added: “Rise above it, nothing will take the shine of a brilliant day in Dublin”.