LIVE updates as three Mid Ulster shops robbed at gunpoint

An 'attack on the community'

SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn also labelled the incident as an 'attack on the community'.

He said: "I’ve just been informed of a robbery at Spar on the Moor Road, which the PSNI are treating as an armed robbery. This is one of three incidents this morning, with further robberies reported in Ballyronan and Coagh. This is nothing short of an attack on our community.

"Absolutely disgusted to wake up to this news. Everyone knows the massive role Spar plays in our community – not just as a shop but through donations to local charities, sports clubs, and community initiatives. The scumbags who carried out these robberies offer nothing to our communities but fear and distress.

"My thoughts are with the staff who were put through this ordeal – they should not have to face this in their workplace.

"If anyone saw or heard anything this morning, please contact the PSNI or reach out to me directly, and I will pass on any information. Let’s work together to hold those responsible to account."

Solidarity to the staff

Mid Ulster Independent Councillor Dan Kerr hit out at the 'parasites' involved in the terrifying incident.

He posted on social media: "I'd like to send solidarity to the staff at Lynch's SPAR Clonoe who had to endure an unsavory experience this morning when a person armed with a gun robbed them.

"I know the staff and know the shop itself has donated to many local charities, sporting organizations etc.

"Over the Covid-19 experience they sent trollies upon trollies to our Foodbank appeal and for that we at the Coalisland Community Hub and Foodbank are forever grateful.

"To the parasite or parasites who done this how about get off the back of working class communities, hoping the staff are all OK and not badly shaken up."

Staff left "very badly shaken"

Mid Ulster Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillion was at the scene on Thursday morning to check on staff involved in the incident.

She told Belfast Live: "Staff have been left very badly shaken by their ordeal this morning, but thankfully no-one was injured.

"This is a truly shocking thing to happen in our local community. Anyone with information should bring it forward to the PSNI immediately."

What we know so far

Police are investigating three separate armed robberies at shops in Mid Ulster in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Belfast Live understands that the three local shops in Clonoe, Coagh and Ballinderry were robbed at gunpoint early this morning, leaving staff "very badly shaken".

The PSNI has been contacted for a response.

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