Are Protestant border homes being targeted?

Gardaí are investigating a possible sectarian link to seven break-ins at homes and schools in Donegal. Aggravated burglaries over the past two weeks left several elderly victims badly shaken. In four of the incidents, the perpetrators threatened their victims with knives. Three were pensioners, whilst a fourth was a middle-aged farmer. All of the incidents took place in rural communities in St Johnston, Convoy, Raphoe and Drumoghill. Church of Ireland minister, Canon David Crooks said he refuted claims the incidents were sectarian and said Donegal was a united community. He added: “People in Donegal are not sectarian. Whoever is doing this, and whether they have an agenda, they do not represent local people and what they are doing is pure criminality. I hope that when they are caught they are given realistic and effective punishment.” Canon Crooks also asked the Sentinel to highlight his denial of a claim made in a national newspaper that he had described the criminal gang as “scum of the earth”. Between raids last week, the gang travelled 15kms to the Royal & Prior Secondary School in Raphoe where several rooms were vandalised. A Protestant pensioner in St Johnston had his car stolen; it was later found burnt out in Londonderry.