The latest attack on an Orange Hall – the second within 36 hours – was last night branded as "mindless".
Mullintur Orange Hall on the Maydown Road outside Killyleagh in Co Armagh, was extensively damaged when it was targeted by arsonists sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Police yesterday confirmed they were treating the attack as sectarian.
The arsonists are believed to have gained access to the hall via the roof.
After removing the roof slates they then entered a small loft which stored drums.
They were smashed, and the store room was set on fire also destroying other material.
According to police the lodge's banner was taken outside and burnt.
The attack came after another Orange Order hall in Co Tyrone was targeted.
Graffiti was daubed on the exterior walls of Aughintober Orange Hall near Dungannon, relating to Tyrone's All-Ireland final clash against Kerry tomorrow.
Sinn Féin councillor Francie Molloy condemned the attack, described it as "senseless".
Yesterday the Irish News revealed that the number of sectarian crimes has more than doubled in the last year.
Over a five-month period, between April 1 to August 31 this year, 726 sectarian incidents were reported to police – indicating a deteriorating situation on the streets of the north.
An Orange Order spokeswoman said the damage to Mullintur hall was still being assessed.
"It is part of the thuggery we are seeing in Northern Ireland," she said.
"I don't know whether it is sectarian or not. If these people see an easy target, whether they throw paint at it, set fire to it, they go for it.
"There is no justification either way. There is no justification for Protestants attacking Catholic churches, or Catholics attacking Orange halls. It is mindless."
Mayor of Armagh, SDLP councillor John Campbell and his colleague, assembly member Dominic Bradley, also hit out at the attack.
"It is with great shame that such thuggery has revealed itself in County Armagh. No community should have to face an attack like this," said Mr Campbell.
"The shameful actions of the thugs responsible are not reflective of the views of the wider community in this area.
"I hope this is an isolated incident and I would urge people to be respectful of other people's views, beliefs, culture and property."
Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Speers said:"It certainly will be viewed with anger, disgust and horror.
"A lot of people talk about tolerance, but this is obviously one of the greatest acts of intolerance."
DUP councillor William Irwin said as well as a local band being affected, residents using the hall for a computer training course have also been denied the facility.
"This attack will now disrupt their classes," he added.
"I completely condemn this attack and it is quite obvious that those who carried it out are intent on stirring up tensions within the local community."
