A car and a lorry – bedecked in the orange and white of Armagh – were set on fire overnight.
The lorry on the main Armagh to Newry Road, close to the turn-off for the Mullabrack GAA club, was torched under the cover of darkness.
A car, also painted in the Orchard colours, was set on flames on the main Newtownhamilton Road (pictured right), close to O’Tooles pub in Ballymacnab.
The incidents have caused shock and dismay in the local community, coming just hours after Armagh claimed an historic second All-Ireland title with a single point win over Galway in Croke Park.
SDLP councillor, Thomas O’Hanlon, sharing photos of the lorry on social media, said he was “disgusted and heartbroken” by what he saw.
“I think it is safe to say it wasn’t disappointed Galway supporters behind this vile act,” he said.
“Every single right thinking person will condemn this. This is on the main Armagh – Newry Road at the turn off for Mullabrack GFC.
“Rise above it, nothing will take the shine off a brilliant day in Dublin. If anyone saw anything or knows anything about this please contact police on 101.”
Sinn Féin councillor Brona Haughey has also slammed those behind an arson attack which saw a van and car, painted in the colours of Armagh, set alight on Sunday night.
The Cusher Councillor said: “I condemn those responsible for setting alight two vehicles in Mullabrack and Ballymacnab last night which were painted orange and white backing Armagh footballers.
“On what was a joyous day for the county, this was a reprehensible and reckless attack on the whole community and those involved should face justice.
“There is no place for hate or discrimination in our society and I would urge anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI.”
A police spokesperson said: “Police received reports of two vehicles on fire in the Armagh area in the early hours of this morning, Monday 29th July.
“At approximately 1.35am a report was received of a lorry on fire in the Markethill Road area.
“A short time later, at approximately 2.25am, a report was received of a car on fire on the Ballymacnab Road.
“Both incidents are being treated as a sectarian related hate crime and as arson and enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with any information or footage that could assist is asked to contact police on 101 quoting 127 of 29/07/24.”
