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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Christine Carrigan

Church ransacked and hoovers stolen in "despicable act"

A theft of hoovers and vandalism at a church in Armagh has been described as a "despicable act" by a local councillor.

Entry was gained to St Michael's Catholic Church in Newtownhamilton, sometime between 8.30 pm on Friday night and 9.00 am Saturday morning.

The church located on Dundalk street, was ransaked, a stain glass window smashed and a number of hoovers were taken.

Slieve Gullion area, Sinn Féin Councillor Barra Ó Muirí, said: “The Church has been ransacked, a stain glass window broken and items stolen. This is extremely upsetting for not only parishioners but everyone.

"An attack on St Michael's is viewed by most as an attack on the whole community."

He added: “This is a despicable act. Those engaged in this type of criminal activity need to be apprehended and be brought before the Courts. Anyone with information should contact the PSNI immediately."

The PSNI is appealing for information.

Constable Tim Coombs Said: “It was reported that entry was gained to the property sometime between 8.30 pm on April 12th and 9.00 am on April 13th. The church was ransacked and a number of vacuum cleaners were taken. A stained glass window was also smashed during the incident.  

“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or anyone who may have seen someone walking near the church carrying tools or the stolen vacuum cleaners to contact police in Newtownahamilton on 101 quoting reference number 306 of 13/04/19.  

“We would also be interested in any dashcam footage showing vehicles parked in the layby close to the church on the Dundalk Road."

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