Write a commentGregory's Filling Station beside St Paul's High School on the Camlough Road outside Newry has been extensively damaged in the forced removal of an ATM machine from the premises in the early hours of this morning.
Detective Constable Sarah Lyttle said, “It is believed at this stage that heavy machinery was stolen from a building site on the Camlough Road at around 3.30am this morning,
and then used to remove an ATM machine from the wall of a filling station nearby. The machinery was set on fire following the incident, blocking the road, which remains closed at this time as we carry out our enquiries."
The police have asked anyone who witnessed this incident or who has any information which may assist their investigation to contact detectives in Ardmore on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The road closure made life difficult for pupils attending St Paul's School this morning with the Camlough Road closed.
MLA Conor Murphy condemned the thieves saying "This was a despicable attack on a locally owned business that provides jobs and a crucial service to the community.
"The theft of the shop's cash machine is particularly loathsome as these machines provide a vital service to people in rural areas, especially people with limited mobility or access to transport.
"In addition to the destruction caused to Gregory's shop the digger they used to carry out this attack was stolen from a local building site and then set on fire outside St Paul's school, dealing a huge financial blow to yet another local business.
"It takes an absolutely craven mentality to set a vehicle on fire outside a school. thankfully nobody was hurt but their actions have caused the closure of a particularly busy stretch of road at its busiest time, stopping people getting to work and, crucially, children getting to school.
"These thugs have no respect or regard for this area or its people. Crimes like this are an assault on the entire community and as such the entire community must unite to face these parasites down.
"If anyone witnessed any suspicious behaviour last night or indeed anything of note in the area of the Camlough Road I would urge them to contact the PSNI as soon as possible and help get these criminals off the backs of our communities."
