W2C-019 Leinster Leader-2.txt
Catalogue of crime in Athy
by JOAN WALSH
ATHY was the scene of a catalogue of crime over the weekend as vandals wrought havoc throughout the town. Gardai believe a local gang on the rampage is responsible for the spate of crime.

On Friday night, the Community Services Centre, Stanhope Place was completely wrecked after vandals ransacked the building causing extensive damage. They hacked their way through doors and rifled every office in the building, even leaving excrement in places. Every light switch was smashed and phone lines ripped out of the wall. A small amount of cash was taken.

The centre was closed all weekend and part of this week for repair works. Mr. David O'Flaherty, Director of Community Services said he was greatly encouraged by the number of people who offered their help.

Meanwhile on Sunday night thieves broke into St. Michael's Church but didn't manage to take anything. The same night, there was a break-in at Pearsons Garage, Woodstock Street but nothing was taken. Gardai believe all three incidents are linked and investigations are continuing.

Meanwhile an Athy supermarket owner and his wife were the victims of a terrifying ordeal on Saturday night. The nightmare unfolded at around 10.40 p.m. as Desmond and Sadie Perry were at home watching television. There was a loud bang at the front door and the couple were confronted by three masked men, one armed with a sawn off shotgun and another with a knife.

The raiders forced their way into the house and tied up the terrified couple. They took a substantial sum of money, mainly cheques and escaped in the Perry's Ford Granada car. As the gang fled they pulled the telephone wires from the wall. Soon after, the couple managed to free themselves and raised the alarm. The car was recovered by local Gardai shortly after the incident at Tyrellstown.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday there was an attempted raid at Valu Centre, Athy. The raiders fled as the alarm went off.
