'Totally unfair and shocking': Praise as Northern Ireland coffee shop offers free coffee after staff and students targeted in tyre-slashing attack in Limavady
Community outpour as Al’s Coffee in County Londonderry steps in to support young employees and other victims after 15 cars were damaged near a Limavady school
A County Londonderry coffee shop has pledged to give away free coffee this weekend after two of its young staff members were caught up in a shocking act of vandalism.
Al’s Coffee which has cafes in Roe Valley Country Park and Castlerock said it was “deeply shocked” after employees Josh and Olly discovered their car tyres had been slashed in a random attack near a school in Limavady. The incident was part of a wider vandalism spree in which 15 vehicles were damaged.
In a post shared on social media, the team at Al’s Coffee explained that the two students had arrived at their cars after school on Monday, only to find their tyres destroyed.
In an act of kindness, the coffee shop also covered the cost of replacing Josh and Olly’s tyres as a thank-you for their hard work.
In a post on social media AL & Team posted: “Guys, this is Josh & Olly. On Monday they were due to come to work but when they arrived at their cars after school, they found their tyres slashed and damaged along with 13 other cars! “Totally unfair and shocking that this happened to them, especially when they work so hard. So I surprised them today by covering the cost of their tyres."
Business owner Michael Hill also extended a gesture of goodwill to others affected by the incident, offering free coffee on Friday and Saturday to anyone whose vehicle was damaged.
The post added: “Also, for all those other people whose cars were damaged please call into the coffee shop on Friday or Saturday and have a coffee free of charge, on me.”
In response, hundreds of people shared, liked and praised the coffee shop and its owner online, with comments including: “What a guy – a super gesture,” “Michael Hill, hero of the hour,” and “What an incredible boss we have in the coffee shop.”
Others added: “A beautiful gesture – a great shout-out to you, Michael Hill, what a man,” and “Top man, great boss.”
Police in Limavady have launched an investigation and are appealing for information following reports of tyre slashing in the Glenview Drive area.
Sergeant Shannon said: "Just after 1.45pm, Monday 26th January, we received a report that tyres had been slashed on 15 vehicles parked in a small carpark in the Glenview Drive area.
"After carrying out enquiries in the area, we now believe that the damage was caused at around 10.55am.
"Our investigation is ongoing and we believe a man dressed in dark clothing, wearing a hi-vis jacket and a navy hat may be able to help with our enquiries.
“We would appeal to anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area to contact us on 101. We're particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have relevant dashcam or other footage."
Police are urging anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has dashcam or other footage from the area to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 749 26/01/26.
A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org