THIEVES who targeted cars outside a church while children were attending a carol service inside have “spoiled Christmas”, the school principal has said.
Five cars were damaged during the incident at St John’s Parish Church in Mullabrack, near Makethill, Co Armagh when a gang smashed the windows and stole items from inside three of the vehicles.
The incidents happened between 6.45pm and 8.45pm on Thursday while dozens of young schoolchildren from the nearby Markethill Primary School were taking part in a festive carol service in the church.
School principal Jim Richardson said the community was “shocked at appalled” by the incident in what is usually a quiet area.
“It spoiled everyone’s evening and I know that many of the children went home very, very, upset,” he said.
“There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but for it to happen on the run up to Christmas just makes it worse.
“Why would anyone want to spoil Christmas? Because that’s what these people have done.”
William Irwin, DUP MLA for the area, condemned the “thuggery and criminality” of the incidents.
“The Markethill community feels violated by this incident and folk in the area are shocked and saddened that there are those who would seek to inflict misery and heartache upon innocent churchgoers and children at this supposed season of goodwill,” he said.
The PSNI appealed to anyone who has information to contact them on 101 and urged people to ensure valuables are not visible in vehicles and locked safely away.
