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Church damaged in morning attack Rector angry over church attack
(about 7 hours later)
An early morning attack on a church in Kilkeel, County Down, is being investigated by police. A Church of Ireland rector has spoken of his devastation after the latest in a series of attacks on his church in County Down.
Vandals broke into the vestibule of the town's Church of Ireland in Newry Street shortly before 0230 GMT on Saturday. Vandals broke into the vestibule of Christ Church, Kilkeel, just before before 0230 GMT.
They then ransacked the foyer of the building and broke windows. A car in the church's nearby car park was also damaged. They ransacked the foyer of the Newry Street church and broke windows. A nearby car was also damaged.
Rector Gary Millar said the graveyard had also been vandalised. He said parishioners were very distressed.
"They (the vandals) have taken flowers and smashed a couple of urns and plant pots and vandalised some of the graves as well," he said.
Reverend Gary Millar said the church had been targeted before
Reverend Millar said it was not the first time the church had been attacked.
He said, on previous occasions, the church had been stoned, headstones damaged, a storeroom broken into and the door kicked in.
"It is certainly not sectarian," he said. "We believe it's a drugs problem, an alcohol problem and a lack of police within the community as well."
Police in Newry have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.Police in Newry have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.