Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has strongly condemned vandals who used a chainsaw to cut through an electricity pole resulting in the loss of electricity to 800 homes in Co Armagh.

NIE were alerted to the problem when a resident reported seeing an overhead cable hanging lower than usual in Craigavon.

When engineers went to investigate they found that a pole supporting high voltage electricity lines had been completely severed. The cut line had subsequently affected the electricity supply to 800 homes in the Edenbeg, Moyraverty and Rosmoyle areas of the town between 4.45pm to 5.30pm on Saturday.

Angelena Fusco, NIE Customer Relations Manager for the area said members of the public could have been killed had the pole fallen.

“Vandals who maliciously damage or interfere with electricity equipment risk electrocution and put other members of the public in danger," she said. "In this incident the pole was completely severed, and could have fallen at the time had it not been for stay wires securing the pole. This is a busy residential area and children playing in the area were put at risk by the actions of these vandals."

NIE said it may have to interrupt supplies at a later date to complete the restoration work.

(MB)