A BUSINESSWOMAN is facing a £10,000 repair bill after a car crashed through her hairdressing salon which she was preparing to reopen after being closed for 10 weeks due to coronavirus restrictions.
Carmel Dooley, from Mane Attraction Unisex Hair Salon on Killeaveay Road in Newry, Co Down said the destruction of the premises before dawn on Saturday is a setback.
She posted pictures on Facebook showing extensive damage to the interior, with furniture and fittings smashed and large chunks of masonry.
"As if times aren’t hard enough for small businesses at the moment someone felt the need to smash a stolen vehicle through our shutters and into the salon absolutely wrecking the place in the early hours of this morning," she wrote.
"The vehicle was later found burnt out on Killeavey Road.
"If anyone seen or heard anything in the vicinity of Whitegates or Killeavey Road this morning please contact the PSNI on 101."
Police said there is a "potential link" between the crash and a "creeper style burglary and criminal damage" at about 4.45am at Clanrye Park.
Two sets of keys and a red Audi A3 were stolen which was found on fire shortly after 5am on Killeavey Road, which the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service had to extinguish.
"Enquiries are continuing and we are investigating a potential link between these incidents and a report of criminal damage which occurred at the Killeavey Road area of Newry," a PSNI spokesman said.
"It is believed the shutters of the property had been rammed by a vehicle during the incident. At this stage, it is not believed that entry was gained to the property."
