The PSNI has confirmed they are investigating the circumstances surrounding criminal damage caused to a former Orange Hall building in Co Antrim.

The Old Ballycastle Orange Hall is located in the Coleraine Road area of Ballycastle and was daubed with sectarian graffiti.

Police said they are investigating the incident as a sectarian hate crime.

A spokesperson said: “Whilst a direct report was not made to police, local officers are now making enquiries following online commentary, to find out when this happened and who may have been involved.

“We understand these buildings are important landmarks within local communities regardless of whether they are in use or not, and attacks on such must be condemned.”

The police urged anyone with information surrounded the incident to come forward.

“Our officers will continue to provide a visible presence within the area to help prevent and investigate hate-related crimes, and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area over the last few days, or to anyone with footage that could assist with enquiries to get in touch.”

The TUV leader Jim Allister condemned the incident, branding it an “assault on the minority community in the area”.

“The sectarian slurs and pro terrorist graffiti which have been scrawled on the building are disgusting and something which society needs to reflect upon,” he added.

“With the increased normalisation of ‘up the Ra’ chats and those involved in such… [we] need to urgently reflect on the impact such is having on IRA victims and indeed the whole Protestant community who bore the brunt of Provo terror.”