29/01/2019

UUP Councillor 'Disgusted' At Theft Of Defibrillator

A UUP Councillor has hit out at those responsible for stealing a defibrillator from Cookstown playing fields.

The cabinet that houses the vital medical equipment was also damaged in the theft at Fairhill on Monday 28 January.

Ulster Unionist representative for the area, Trevor Wilson, condemned the act: "I have no idea what kind of mindset thinks it is a good idea to steal a defibrillator, but that is unfortunately what has happened.

"These machines are installed for a reason and are a vital community resource, but that is of course lost on the people responsible, who better hope that neither they nor their family ever need the use of one.  

"I am absolutely disgusted at this mindless act of vandalism and I urge anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact the police at once."

A PSNI spokesperson, writing on the Cookstown Facebook page said the the community will suffer yet again because of the "mindless, selfish idiots" behind the theft.

Recently installed CCTV is being viewed in the hope of determining who is responsible.

"So our advice to the culprit," the spokesperson said.

"Don't continue with this silly behaviour, come and talk to us before we come to get you."

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact police using non-emergency line 101, quoting reference 525 of 28/01/10, or to encourage those responsible to return it so that it can be re-installed.

"Just think how you would feel if someone dies because of your greed," the officer urged.



(JG/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 November 2024
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
20 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Calls For 'Immediate And Decisive' Action On Child Hunger The Alliance Party has called for "immediate and decisive" action to address the growing crisis of child hunger in Northern Ireland.
04 July 2016
Life-Saving Defibrillator Stolen From Garage In West Belfast
Police are appealing for information after a life-saving defibrillator was stolen from a garage on the Andersonstown Road in west Belfast. The device was taken from a Topaz garage sometime between Saturday evening, 02 July, and Sunday morning, 03 July. Detective Sergeant Corner said: "This is an appalling theft of an essential piece of equipment.
12 October 2022
Man Arrested In Connection With Fuel Theft
A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of diesel theft from a property in the Ballymagorry area of Strabane last night, Tuesday, 11th October. The arrest followed the report of alleged diesel theft from an address on Ballyheather Road shortly after 10pm where a red Berlingo van was also found at the address and abandoned.
17 September 2012
Long Expresses Outrage After Pair Targeted In Hate Crime
Alliance East Belfast MP Naomi Long has expressed her outrage after a couple in East Belfast were targeted in what police are describing as a hate crime. Rubbish was set on fire beside their property on Sunderland Road, but it was put out and only minor fire damage was caused. The couple were in the house at the time but were uninjured.