NIE Networks 'strongly condemns' substation vandalism

NIE Networks calls the vandalism of a electrical substation in Dhu Varren Portrush yesterday morning

NIE Networks has strongly condemned vandalism to its electrical equipment in the Dhu Varren area of Portrush in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Over 200 properties lost their electricity supplies after specialised equipment in a substation was vandalised.  Police say It happened at around 3:30am on Tuesday morning

Emergency teams from NIE Networks were forced to respond immediately to make equipment safe.  Power was restored shortly before 6:30am

Kevin McDowell, Head of Health, Safety & Environment at NIE Networks, said “Our priority is the safety of the general public and our employees. Vandals are risking their own and other peoples’ lives by approaching substations substation and causing damage. In this case we know that power tools had been used to access the substation which houses live, high voltage equipment. Any type of interference in this environment can be unforgiving.

NIE Networks also repeated the police's call for information regarding the incident.