The loss of the precious artefacts has, according to Mr. Devenney, caused outrage across the local community.

Speaking to the 'Journal' this week Mr. Devenney said: "I know that certain members of the Gardai hierarchy were unhappy with my comments on Highland Radio following the robbery but I was only saying what needed to be said. The facts are staring us all in the face. Twenty years ago when Newtown was nothing more than a single main street - and where everyone knew everyone - we had two full time gardai and a sergeant who lived locally and whom everyone knew. Now we have two part time gardai, no sergeant and Newtown is about ten times the size it was then. We are a border town too. You can do a robbery here in Newtown and be over into Derry within ten minutes. Nobody knows anybody and nobody knows the gardai. It's crazy. We are going backwards in terms of policing."

Mr. Devenney said he was concerned too that relationships between the Gardai and the community were breaking down.

"The only time we seem to have dealings with the gardai is when they are pulling you over for some petty offence. I detect a real resentment out there about that. Even the most law abiding people are being criminalised to a degree by on the spot fines for doing five miles over the limit or whatever. The resentment is due to the fact that a lot of policing now seems to be more about revenue earning than about the welfare of the community.

"Our gardai should be going into the schools, meeting the community, getting to know people. They should be building up contacts. I don't think I have talked to a member of the Garda Siochana on a social basis for at least five years ago. It wasn't that long ago that the local sergeant would call into your house, sit down and have a cup of tea and talk about all the issues and problems. Now if the gardai passed me on the street I doubt if I could tell you who they are."

Mr. Devenney said it was time the gardai hierarchy got 'off their high horses' and listened to what their people on the ground were saying.

"I'm a strong supporter of law and order. I'm a 110 per cent behind the gardai. In Newtown we need three gardai and a sergeant. That's the message the people at the top have to listen to."

During last week's robbery the items stolen were 'priceless' in that some of them dated back to the early 1700's. Mr. Devenney said he didn't think that they were of great monetary value.

He commented: "These religious items were part of the rich heritage of this village. In that context, they are irreplaceable. This robbery is not just an attack on our church but on this community. The entire village is outraged."

Mr. Devenney confirmed that a substantial reward was being offered for the safe return of the items.