By Michelle O’Keeffe
The Mirror
BRAY, Ireland — The heartbroken families of two tragic firefighters were disgusted yesterday after thieves robbed the station where the heroes worked.
And one furious local councillor branded raiders “scumbags”.
Thieves targeted the premises in Bray just a year after Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy lost their lives in the line of duty. Brian, 46, and 26-year-old Mark died when a roof fell in as they battled a blaze in a warehouse in the town last September.
The gang this weekend ransacked the station pocketing wallets and stealing two of the firemen’s cars.
Close family friend Darren Murphy said: “Both Brian and Mark’s family are really disappointed that these people stooped so low. These men were out risking their lives to protect the community while their cars, wallets and personal belongings were being stolen.
“Both families are disgusted there are people out there who would do this to these brave firemen just a year after their colleagues died in a fire.”
Gardai appealed to the public for information about the robbery at the station off the Boghall Road, on the south side of Bray, near the town centre in Co Wicklow.
The firemen’s lockers were raided and their wallets were stolen along with car keys and other personal items as they responded to emergency call from Greystones in Wicklow in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It is believed two men were involved in the break-in. The culprits fled the scene in two cars belonging to the fire officers which were later recovered undamaged nearby.
Gardai are examining CCTV from the area and said they are following a definite line of inquiry.
Bray town councillor Brady said: “This is a despicable and outrageous act.
“The people that did this are the lowest of the low and everyone in the area is totally shocked and disgusted by what has happened.
“To think that while firefighters are out risking their lives on behalf of their community you have scumbags breaking into the fire station and stealing their belongings is beyond belief or comprehension.
“It is the last thing you would expect anyone to do. It is not just an attack on the firemen but also an attack on the community.
Everyone is horrified, especially as it is only a year since Mark and Brian died when they responded to an emergency call.
“These thugs targeted people who are putting their lives on the line to save lives.
“Gardai are still trying to establish if the firefighters were responding to a genuine emergency or it they received a hoax call to get them out of the station.”
Cllr Brady also called for a review of security at the fire station following the break in. He said: “There is a real problem with security at this fire station.
“Someone used to man the phones in the station 24 hour a day but that service was withdrawn.
“So now all calls are re-directed to Tara Street and the firefighters are alerted and make their way to the station.
“This means that the station is left empty while they are out responding to an emergency call.
“And, of course, in situations when they are racing to a fire, the last thing they are worrying about is their belongings.
“The security needs to be reviewed so other scumbags don’t target people that are out saving lives.”
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