A car found submerged in a south Armagh lake was stolen from a property in Crossmaglen.
The red Seat Ibiza was dragged from Lough Ross after it was found almost fully submerged on Friday morning.
The car had been taken from outside a property on Rathkeelan Park area of Crossmaglen sometime between 8.30pm on Thursday and 7am on Friday.
The discovery forced specialist teams to descend on the lake but nobody was found inside.
Sergeant Darren Welsh said: “It was reported that a car had been stolen from a property sometime between 8.30pm yesterday, Thursday 30th July and 7am today, Friday 31st July.
“At approximately 7.40am this morning police received a report that a car, a red Seat Ibiza, had been sighted in a lake in the Lough Ross area which is believed to be the vehicle stolen from Rathkeelan Park.
“Police deployed to the area of Lough Ross. Due to the vehicle being partially submerged Police had to task Specialist teams from both the Fire and Ambulance Services.
“These specialist teams were able to deploy by boat and confirm that there was no occupants in the vehicle.
“The vehicle has since been recovered.”
Sinn Fein Councillor Aoife Finnegan said the recent incident has caused concern among the local community.
“This has caused concern; people were initially worried in case anyone had been trapped inside the vehicle but thankfully that is not the case.
“Just recently many within the local community were involved in a very successful tidy up initiative.
“Actions such as with this vehicle undermine such community efforts, distress many and tie up the precious time of the Emergency Services.”
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