A Sligo councillor had his house burgled while the election count was taking place in the county.
Independent councillor Joe Queenan’s home was targeted by criminals on Saturday while the house was unoccupied, according to the Western People.
Mr Queenan was in his shop at the time but believes the burglars struck as they thought he and his family would all be at the local election count in the Sligo Park Hotel.
“My son left the house at 1pm and my wife came back at 2pm to find the place ransacked. My son was only out a field covering a silage pit around a quarter of a mile away when they went in and wrecked the place,” he told the Western People.
He said the thieves broke in through a window and made off with personal items and valuables.
“They wrecked the place and turned it upside down,” he said.
The Independent candidate was re-elected to the Ballymote/Tubbercurry electoral area and is now in his 25th year as an elected representative.
He said the episode has left a sour taste despite his election success.
“We didn’t want to go down to the count that evening. I was afraid that I might be elected that night and had sent a request through my director of elections to explain the situation if that happened.
“It’s been very difficult for the family. It’s difficult for anyone to come back and find your home destroyed,” he added.
