Orange Order tours ‘murder triangle’
The Orange Order has hosted a special tour in County Tyrone to highlight the impact the Troubles have had on the organisation.
A total of 300 Orangemen were murdered during the period and the Order organised a bus tour on Tuesday to highlight the organisation’s tragic past.
The tour began at Killmany Orange Hall near Dungannon and moved through an area known as the ‘murder triangle’.
On board the bus were representatives from government, as well as community and voluntary organisations invited to hear at first hand the impact the violence has had, as part of the UN’s International Day of Peace.
Killyman District Master Brian Greenway said that the legacy of the Troubles is still strongly affecting members.
“There were people being killed daily and people just in fear. At the time it was totally devastating and that devastation is still continuing for all the members’ families who were bereaved,” he told UTV.
Orange Order spokesman David Hume said that victims are now more willing than ever to come forward and tell their story.
“The community now sees that we’re now in a situation where there have been lots of public inquiries – a lot of other stories are coming forward and this community needs to let everyone know what it has suffered over the years.”
The trip also visited Bonn Orange Hall outside Pomeroy, which was burnt to the ground last August.
The Orange Order hopes events like this bus tour will promote greater understanding and help to bring such attacks to an end.
