Investigation into damaged defibrillator

A POLICE investigation is ongoing following a report on Christmas Eve that damage had been caused to a community defibrillator at the CKS community centre in O’Kane Park.

The piece of life-saving equipment is said to have been found laying on the ground beneath the wall where it usually hangs for ease of public access in the event of an emergency, its protective casing smashed all around it.

While police investigating the incident are treating it as suspicious, the possibility remains opens that whoever caused the damage could have done so while attempting to access the defibrillator for its proper purpose.

Omagh Sinn Féin councillor, Barry McElduff, who was part of the campaign for the installment of the defibrillator at this strategic site at the community centre, has spoken about the incident.

“The CKS is a council-run community centre which is much used and much valued by local people,” Cllr McElduff began.

“It would be hugely disappointing if this damage was caused by wanton vandalism.

“It is hard for anyone to fathom why someone would do damage to life-saving equipment.”

Cllr McElduff praised sporting organisations, community groups, the council and local businesses for working hard to ensure that defibrillators are easily accessible to as many people as possible.

He continued, “I know that residents in the O’Kane/Culmore area and users of the CKS Centre will be disgusted if it is confirmed that the damage was caused deliberately.”

In a Facebook appeal, the police said they were investigating the incident as suspected criminal damage and asked for anyone with information to get in touch.

“If you went to grab a defibrillator in an emergency, you wouldn’t want to find this – no matter what the explanation might be,” they said.

If you can help get in touch with Omagh Police quoting reference CC932 of 24 December. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.