Police are treating the defacing of an Orange hall in Rasharkin, County Antrim, as a sectarian hate crime after pro-IRA graffiti was sprayed on the building during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A report was received at 8am that graffiti had been daubed on the Main Street premises around 1.20am. PSNI Inspector Armour confirmed that enquiries are ongoing.

The incident follows the Twelfth of July celebrations, and comes weeks after similar damage to the hall, according to representatives. The leadership of Rasharkin Chosen Few Lodge said this was the 36th time the building had been attacked in recent years, with three incidents occurring within a matter of weeks. Around £2,000 of public money was recently spent on repairs from a previous attack.

A number of unionist politicians condemned the vandalism. North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the slogans, which referenced the IRA, were an attempt to intimidate the Protestant community in the village. TUV colleagues Jonathan McAuley and Kirk Wilson expressed disgust, with Mr Wilson stating that those responsible should face court.

DUP councillors Mervyn Storey, Darryl Wilson and John McAuley said the attack showed a sectarian intolerance from a small group. They called on republican representatives in the village to condemn what they described as an assault on the Protestant community.

UUP representative Alan Barr described the attack as pathetic and said those behind it wanted to glorify terrorist violence.

Rasharkin Apprentice Boys of Derry noted on social media that this was the fifth attack on the hall in a year, questioning whether there would be a different response if a mosque or GAA hall were targeted.

Police have appealed for anyone with information or footage to come forward.