Home robbed while owner at carol service

Published Monday, 17 December 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

An east Belfast woman who attended a Christmas carol service has been targeted by thieves who ransacked her home and stole the takings from her church's not-for-profit café.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

Avril Gracey was attending a church carol service at May Street Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening when her east Belfast home was robbed.

During the few hours she was away, thieves broke in and stole her laptop, camera and hundreds of pounds of money - including the takings from the church café she manages.

"The fact that someone broke into my house in such a short space of time just disgusts me," she told UTV.

"It's meant to be the season of goodwill to all men and I have to say I was very angry someone had done this to me," he said.

Ms Gracey says she is particularly upset that Christmas gifts for the volunteers who work at Urban Soul Café in Belfast city centre were also taken.

The café relies heavily on donations and has been struggling financially in the last number of months.

Ms Gracey has lived in her home for 17 years and says it's normally a safe neighourhood but she believes those responsible were watching her movements.

"I think everyone is short of money and the pressure is on. People don't have the money and sometimes we have to make sacrifices and do without rather than do things like that."

Despite her ordeal, she says she is she is determined to feel safe in her own home and enjoy the festive season.

© UTV News
Comments Comments
2 Comments
Jim in Belfast wrote (153 days ago):
Sad story, I will be donating to the church and grabbing lunch at Urban Soul Café in May St. to help.
markwells178@yahoo.co.uk in East belfast wrote (154 days ago):
Absolute disgrace
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
UVF centenary parade
Sat 20 April 2013
BGT auditions - Week 2
Sat 20 April 2013