Church Street break in - police appeal for information from public

POLICE are continuing their hunt for those behind a break-in at a shop in Church Street, Ballymoney last Thursday.

Liam Beckett - former mechanic of the late champion motorcyclist Robert Dunlop - has condemned burglars who stole a collection bottle for a sculpture of the racer during the break-in.

Liam, who was a mechanic for Robert for 20 years, hit out after the collection bottle was stolen from his daughter's shop - Gift Boutique.

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A memorial statue to the biker is currently being created by Scottish sculptor David Annand and funds are still being raised.

"Quite a lot of jewellery and handbags were stolen and they just ripped the till away and took it too," Liam said.

"But one of the most sickening thing is that a fundraising bottle for the Robert Dunlop Memorial Sculpture was taken from the counter.

"I was Robert's mechanic for 20 years so our families are close. The bottle was found down the road in an old graveyard. They had taken the pound coins and notes out but left pennies scattered on the footpath.

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"That shows you the calibre of people you are dealing with."

Liam said many people were "on the look-out" for whoever was responsible, but that he doubted anyone from Ballymoney did it.

The burglary was discovered around 9am yesterday when a woman passing the shop noticed that the door had been smashed open, he added.

"It is my daughter's shop and it is the last thing she needs because she is heavily pregnant and due to give birth in a few weeks," he said.

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A police spokesman said a break-in was reported in Church Street in Ballymoney on Thursday at 9am. He said a till was stolen with money.

Robert Dunlop died after crashing at the North West 200 in 2008. Brother Joey, a legendary figure in British motorcycle circles, died while racing in Estonia in 2000.

Anyone who was in the area on Wednesday night/early hours of Thursday and could help with police enquiries is asked to telephone 0845 600 8000. Alternatively information can be passed on anonymously through the 'Crimestoppers' charity on freephone 0800 555 111.

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