UUP Councillor 'Disgusted' At Theft Of Defibrillator

A UUP Councillor has hit out at those responsible for stealing a defibrillator from Cookstown playing fields.

The cabinet that houses the vital medical equipment was also damaged in the theft at Fairhill on Monday 28 January.

Ulster Unionist representative for the area, Trevor Wilson, condemned the act: "I have no idea what kind of mindset thinks it is a good idea to steal a defibrillator, but that is unfortunately what has happened.

"These machines are installed for a reason and are a vital community resource, but that is of course lost on the people responsible, who better hope that neither they nor their family ever need the use of one.  

"I am absolutely disgusted at this mindless act of vandalism and I urge anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact the police at once."

A PSNI spokesperson, writing on the Cookstown Facebook page said the the community will suffer yet again because of the "mindless, selfish idiots" behind the theft.

Recently installed CCTV is being viewed in the hope of determining who is responsible.

"So our advice to the culprit," the spokesperson said.

"Don't continue with this silly behaviour, come and talk to us before we come to get you."

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact police using non-emergency line 101, quoting reference 525 of 28/01/10, or to encourage those responsible to return it so that it can be re-installed.

"Just think how you would feel if someone dies because of your greed," the officer urged.



(JG/CM)