Arson attack on clubhouse of Tyrone GAA star Seán Kavanagh

Sinn Féin claims early hours attack on Tír na nÓg clubhouse near Dungannon sectarian

Seán Kavanagh in action for Tyrone. The arson attack badly damaged his Tír na nÓg clubhouse.
Seán Kavanagh in action for Tyrone. The arson attack badly damaged his Tír na nÓg clubhouse.

An arson attack has badly damaged the premises of Tyrone footballer Seán Kavanagh’s club.

The attack on the Tír na nÓg clubhouse happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. A window was broken and flammable liquid was poured inside. The blaze gutted the downstairs area and also caused widespread damage upstairs.

The club is situated in the village of Moy on the Benburb Road near Dungannon.

The PSNI say the motivation for the attack was not sectarian but that claim is disputed by Sinn Féin MLA Bronwyn McGahan.

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She said it was one of a series of attacks on GAA clubs in the area.

“These attacks are I believe sectarian in nature. I am calling on unionist leaders to stand shoulder to shoulder with my party in condemnation of these attacks on GAA clubs,” she said. “There can be no place for sectarianism in our society.”

Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott also condemned the attack and accused the perpetrators of seeking to "whip up tension".

"Whether it is through attacking Orange halls, churches or GAA clubs, they need to get the message that the wider community does not support their actions.

“In a truly shared society everyone’s rights and cultures must be respected.”

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times