A GAA club in Co Tyrone has been the target of a break-in during their busiest week of the year with their summer camp in session.
The Stewartstown Harps said that “mindless thugs” initially targeted the club’s “brand new fully equipped gym”. After failing to gain entry to the gym they then targeted the club’s pavilion damaging “most doors and windows” before eventually gaining access.
According to the police “cash was taken, together with gardening equipment and a quantity of fuel and heating oil”.
In a statement posted on social media a spokesperson for the club said: “It’s with great sadness that we sit tonight to write this post.
“Some time overnight on Monday/Tuesday, mindless thugs attempted to break into our brand new fully equipped gym. The gym is something we have fundraised for, worked tirelessly for, and which our community has contributed to making possible over the last few years. It is an investment in the future of our club, our young people, and our community.
“When their plans failed they hit us at the heart of our club, our pavilion. Damage has been caused to most doors and windows until they finally gained access.
“They ransacked every drawer, cupboard, and store room; making a mess and stealing anything in sight.”
The post on social media added: “One last word, the people who thought they could damage the pride of our club. You didn’t.
“On our busiest week of the year during the Tyrone summer camp, our volunteers still supported the 60+ children, that walked out onto our pitch this morning with a smile on their face and a football in their hand, oblivious to the chaos that you caused inside.
“We would like to thank the Tyrone camp coaches for their understanding and for keeping all the kids smiling. That is the community spirit we build and maintain every day.
“We can fix the damage, we can replace the things you have stolen. Our club will continue to do what we do best – play football, celebrate our Gaelic heritage, work hard together to provide modern facilities fit to train future stars and maintain a safe place for every person in our community.”
According to the police entry to the premises on the Mullaghmoyle Road area of Stewartstown was gained sometime between 11:30pm on Monday July 22 and 10am on Tuesday July 23.
Sergeant Cloughley said: “Enquiries are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who might have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area at the time, or who might have any information which could assist us, to get in touch on 101, quoting reference number 415 of 23/07/24.”
