Church hall was damaged by smoke and water

Police investigating a fire which destroyed part of a Catholic church hall in County Down say it was "probably arson".

The hall, at Main Street, Newcastle, belongs to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in the town, which has previously been targeted.

The blaze erupted at about 0430 GMT on Tuesday, destroying the stage area and causing substantial smoke and water damage.

The cause of the fire is being investigated but police said it was suspicious.

Parish priest Father Albert McNally said it was devastating news.

"This is the fourth fire we've had in this parish, down this Main Street, in a matter of 15 months," he said.

"We've had the parochial house, the church, the old St Mary's church which is a youth club. We are feeling sort of victimised."

'Appalling attack'

Forensic experts are carrying out an examination of the scene.

Eamon O'Neill of the SDLP said people in the town felt there was "some kind of a vendetta" against the church.

"I wouldn't want to describe it as a sectarian vendetta but, certainly, it does look as if it's geared directly towards Catholic church property in Newcastle," he said.

"It's appalling and police are going to have to get to the bottom of it."

In May, the church was attacked twice within a matter of hours, first by arsonists and later its windows were broken.

Meanwhile a suspicious fire at a vehicle repair centre in Belfast has destroyed cars worth �250,000.

The cause of the blaze, on Boucher Crescent, is still being investigated by the police.

Among the cars destroyed was a Porsche - worth about �50,000.