Churches vandalized in Northern Ireland

BELFAST, Northern Ireland, July 9 (UPI) -- Five Catholic churches in Northern Ireland have been vandalized this week in what observers say is an effort to increase ill-will between religious groups.

Other targets include a Gaelic Athletic Association sports ground and a hall belonging to the Protestant Orange Order, the Belfast (Ireland) Telegraph reported.

The attacks were condemned on both sides of the sectarian divide. A representative of the Orange Order said the vandals "do not speak for the Protestant community."

"There are evil people on all sides in the community who want to cause strife and create havoc, but it is up to the law-abiding population to make sure they do not have their way," the group said in a statement.

At the churches, paint was splashed on walls and in one case on headstones in the cemetery. At the GAA ground in Aboghill, County Antrim, gates were forced open and a burning Citroen car, which did not belong to anyone involved with the club, was left inside.

In Newtownabbey, a trash dumpster was set on fire after being pushed against the wall of Greencastle Orange Hall.

July is the traditional Protestant "marching season" in Northern Ireland. It has often been a time of tension and sometimes violence.