Shop Worker Attacked With Pepper Spray

A woman has been attacked with pepper spray in an incident in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

The woman was working in the takeaway restaurant when a man entered the premises shortly after 8pm on Wednesday and demanded money. It is understood he was also armed with a knife.

After he demanded money to be handed over, he used the pepper spray on the woman.

He is believed to have fled with cash in the direction of the River Mourne.

This is the second such attack in Strabane in the last week. On Saturday, an armed robbery occurred at a chemist shop in the Beechmount Avenue area where pepper spray was also used on staff.

Patsy Kelly, SDLP Councillor for Strabane, condemned those behind the attacks.

He said: "From what I understand it is believed this is the same person who robbed the pharmacy on Melmount Road at the weekend.

"This person seems to be desperate for money because this is the second robbery in the town within five days and that is a very worrying situation for small business owners in Strabane.

"My worst fear is that if this person isn't caught someone could be seriously injured. For the staff caught up in these despicable incidents it must be very traumatic and frightening, so we need to get this person off the streets as soon as possible.

"I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI immediately, and I'm also calling on the PSNI to put all possible resources into catching this person."

(JP/CD)