GARDAI say they are hoping to speak to a man who broke into Lifford police station last weekend before parading into Strabane wearing an official gard

GARDAI say they are hoping to speak to a man who broke into Lifford police station last weekend before parading into Strabane wearing an official garda hi-visibilty jacket, hat and stab proof vest.

The Strabane Chronicle understands the man, who is believed to be originally from Lifford, also stole a number of other items. The station was unmanned at the time.

While a spokesman for the garda confirmed no documentation or personal details were taken during the raid, they were remaining tight-lipped about other aspects of the case. A spokesperson would only confirm that an investigation into the matter is ongoing and that no arrests have been made.


However the PSNI confirmed this week that they had received reports of a man wearing the stolen garda uniform at Lifford Road during the early hours of Saturday, September 5. The stolen items were recovered in Strabane on Monday evening past.

Concern

The incident comes on the back of calls for an increased garda presence in the area. Lifford station no longer has full-time garda cover.

Local Fianna Fail councillor, Gerry Crawford, again called for extra gardai to patrol the border and for an extension in garda station opening hours.

Cllr Crawford said the burglary was a major cause of concern in the area.

“This is indicative of what I have been complaining about for a number of years. While gardai cannot be everywhere all the time, we certainly need more officers on the ground and longer opening hours at Lifford garda station,” he said.