Thieves took life-saving gear from clubhouse

By JACQUELINE HOGGE GARDAI are appealing for information following the theft of life-saving equipment during a break-in at Turloughmore GAA's Coolarne clubhouse. A defibrillator was among the items stolen from dressing rooms and stores at the grounds, which is the hurling club's second pitch and is not accessed on a daily basis during the off season.[private] Club secretary PJ Murphy said whoever had carried out the attack came prepared as three locks were cut on both dressing room buildings and a store house at the pitch. 'We're not sure when the robbery took place but we think it was in the past two weeks,' said PJ. 'It was discovered last Friday by Tús workers who were carrying out work at the pitch. 'The defibrillator was taken along with a strimmer and other items and we're disgusted that someone could target the club in this way.' The defibrillator is one of two owned by the club, with the other kept at the main pitch in Lackagh, having been acquired through a sports grants funding initiative five years ago. 'People are disgusted that someone could stoop so low as to steal life saving equipment that a lot of people involved with the club are trained to use,' said PJ. 'Throughout the country sporting clubs have been leading the way in the provision of defibrillators in rural Ireland in particular, and Turloughmore hurling club have been a leader of such projects in the parish. 'While the cost of replacing the defibrillator is substantial, it is not the cost of what was stolen that has caused the upset, but the fact that somebody would steal life-saving equipment. 'Members of the club and local members of the Garda are seeking information from anyone who might have noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the Coolarne area.' [/private]