A priest in north Belfast was woken in the early hours of this morning by the noise of an intruder armed with an axe.
Police said the St Vincent de Paul church and parochial house on Ligoniel Road were broken into at around 2am.
It is understood car keys for the priest’s vehicle and a minibus used by the local community were stolen as well as a sum of money.
Police said the priest saw a man fleeing from the house and calling to a small dog.
Sergeant Greg Dawson said: “This male was described as being stocky or possibly wearing a heavily padded jacket. He also ran with a limp and was dressed in dark clothing. He was observed calling to a small, thin, dark-coloured dog which followed him up the Ligoniel Road."
Shock and revulsion as parish priest’s home & church broken into in Ligoneil are of Belfast. pic.twitter.com/FlY0ssXwaX
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 1, 2018
“Although no-one was injured in the incident, a number of rooms in the property were entered and items in them disturbed.
“Several sets of keys were taken, as well as a sum of cash. A hatchet and shovel were recovered from the scene."
In a statement the Diocese of Down and Connor said the parish priest had been left "very distressed and traumatised by this experience".
"He has received many messages of support from parishioners, clergy, community representatives and members of the local community. He is assisting the PSNI with their investigations."
Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Murphy called for anyone with information to contact police.
“Breaking into someone’s home is always traumatic for the victim but is even more shameful that anyone would break into an amenity widely used by the local community."
