By Cronan Scanlon

GARDAI are appealing for information after a sinister attack on a retired couple's house near Lifford at the weekend caused thousands of euro worth of damage.

A garda spokesman said the couple returned on Tuesday after a weekend away to find their house at Mulnagung on the main Lifford to Letterkenny road covered in graffiti.

The culprits sprayed orange and white paint over the downstairs windows of the house and damaged trees and lights in the garden.

They also destroyed the couple's car, slashing the four tyres, scoring paintwork and spraying it with paint.

The spokesman also revealed that all four entrance gates to the house were padlocked closed and that more than 500 litres of heating oil was leaked from a tank. Members of the Garda forensics team visited the scene to carry out a technical examination on Tuesday.

Gardai say the attack may have occurred on Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

They declined to comment on a possible motive for the attack only to say that they are keeping an "open mind".

They are appealing to anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the area of Mulnagung, Ballindrait and surrounding areas to contact Lifford Garda Station on 91 41000.