St Augustine's Parish Hall closed following late-night break-in

Canon Howe room was ransacked and the contents of files were scattered about the building by the intruders

The Police are investigating a late-night break-in at one of the most historic ecclesiastical sites in Derry.

Intruders forced their way into St Augustine's parish hall on the iconic City Walls sometime before midnight. The hall is next to the main church building, and shares the site where St Columba founded an abbey in the mid-6th century.

The Canon Howe room in the hall was ransacked and the contents of files were scattered about the building by the intruders.

"It does feel like a desecration," the Rector, Rev Nigel Cairns says, "because we use the Canon Howe room regularly for our Tuesday morning worship. Our parishioners will be upset by the break-in, and will regard it as a violation. We're thankful, though, that the main church building wasn't broken into."

St Augustine's is one of the most popular attractions on Derry's tourist trail but it's been closed to visitors for the rest of the day while police investigations continue.