Burglars leave clues after club break-in

The break-in happened during the early hours of Saturday morning at Lurgan Rugby Football and Cricket Club’s premises in Mourneview.

It’s understood that one or more of the burglars may have cut themselves while gaining access to the clubhouse. Drops of blood were found at the scene as well as a bloodied T-shirt which may have belonged to one of the suspects.

The ‘MAIL’ understands fingerprints were also taken by police and CCTV footage recorded on the night is being studied by officers.

The thieves attempted to make off with two large TVs and a quantity of alcohol wrapped in curtains taken from the lounge. However, the TVs were both recovered by club members on Saturday morning beside the scoreboard on the playing fields along with the curtains and some of the alcohol.

Lurgan RFCC Director Graeme Hunter said: “Ultimately we haven’t lost a significant amount. It’s more the inconvenience of it and the hassle of having to get things fixed.

“The TVs were recovered and the bar shutter and glass in the doors that they broke have been fixed. We lost a bit of drink, some of which was recovered, but obviously we can’t do anything other than throw it out.”

Detectives in Lurgan are appealing for information following the burglary.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact CID in Lurgan on 0845 600 8000. Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.