Nun’s home burgled during funeral service

Nun’s home burgled during funeral service

30 April 2014

DOWNPATRICK’S Parish Priest has spoken of his disgust after burglars targeted the home of an elderly nun while she attended a funeral.

Sister Vianney’s Ardglass Road home was broken into on Easter Tuesday, just two days after a similar break in at a residential home for adults with learning disabilities.

Canon Sean Rogan PP said he was “appalled” by both incidents, which he described as an attack on the “most vulnerable” in society.

Police are not linking the burglaries at this stage but are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A Toshiba laptop was stolen in the Ardglass Road burglary some time between 6.50pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday.

At the Mainstay DRP home on St. Patrick’s Drive a window was smashed to gain entry sometime between 6pm and 8.30pm on Easter Sunday. A number of items were stolen including a computer and some jewellery.

Canon Rogan said those responsible were a “plague” on the community.

“Our sympathies go out to Sister Vianney,” he said. “The people who do these things are targeting the most vulnerable. A lady who gives so much time to the community and living in her own home. The community is appalled.

“Thankfully she wasn’t in at the time. She was at a funeral, again trying to bring comfort.”

Canon Rogan said the attack on Mainstay DRP was particularly sickening considering the charity’s ongoing major investment in new accommodation.

“These people are vulnerable in society as well,” he said.

“There are people who are destroying our society and a plague in our community.”

Independent councillor Cadogan Enright also condemned both burglaries. Referring to Sister Vianney as “well-known and well-respected” in the town, he said: “That someone like this who gives of her life to the community should be treated by anyone in this manner is utterly reprehensible, and I would call on the community to report any suspicions they may have in this matter to the local PSNI.

“It is clear to me that this behaviour is driven by a small number of people peddling drugs around the town and that the police need to do more to identify those involved, as they trigger crime in those they addict and then innocent householders are made to suffer the consequences.

“I am not satisfied that the PSNI have learned lessons from other police forces about the benefits of targeted policing and feel they should be targeting those involved.

“Whilst PSNI statistics on burglary show incidents have declined in recent years in the Downpatrick area, they have been static of late. I hope the popular revulsion at this particularly vile incident  will motivate the whole town to identify and report those involved”.

Down Area Commander, Chief Inspector Deirdre Bones, said she wanted to reassure the local community that police in the area are committed to tackling this issue.

“Reducing the harm caused by drugs was something which you listed as a priority in our local policing plan so it is something we have and will continue to place a great deal of focus on,” she said.

“For example, between April 2013 and December 2013, there were 85 drugs arrests in the Down area and in the last number of weeks alone, police have seized suspected drugs with an estimated street value of approximately £33,000 in three separate searches in the area.

“Police officers working in this area fully understand the potential harm to the public caused by drugs. We know that the local community want us to tackle the issue and we remain determined to do so. 

“But we also need the continued support of the local community and I would encourage anyone with information in relation to drugs to contact their local police on 101.”

Police are also asking anyone with information on these burglaries to contact them on that number, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.