Around €1,000 damage was caused during a break-in at the St Vincent de Paul Shop in Stradbally when a rear door was kicked in over the weekend.
A television was also taken from the wall which is believed to have been the attraction for the thieves.
Cllr Paschal McEvoy, president of Laois St Vincent de Paul, condemned those behind the incident.
“It’s absolutely sickening,” he said.
“It is totally shameful. St Vincent de Paul is there to help people,” he said.
Wooden panels in the back door were kicked in, causing significant damage.
“No money was taken. Our shop is there to raise funds to help people and this damage is going to take €1,000 out of our funds,” he said.
“We can do an awful lot for people with €1,000,” he said.
“The girls came in to open up on Monday morning and found two door panels kicked in. The gardai were on the scene straight away and the forensics team arrived afterwards,” he said.
“It wasn’t a good start to the week. It’s not what you expect to see on a Monday morning,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact local gardai.
It is believed the the theft must have been carried out by locals who were aware of the television on the premises.
The television was used by the youth centre which operated previously on the premises.
“This is a knock back for all our volunteers who give their time,” Cllr McEvoy said.
Support
“We are lucky that we get massive support,” he added.
The shop has operated in Stradbally for 6 years.
“We have never had an ounce of bother before this,” he said.
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