At least one thief wreaked havoc at the pre-school facility at Ballaghderg, Mountain Top, Letterkenny.
The thugs smashed their way into the school – which caters for three and four year old children – and tried to wreck the place.
They kicked over furniture and busted open cupboards, before making off with a petty cash box.
Gardai have confirmed that forensic officers have examined the scene.
Children who attend the school had to be turned away on Friday as the clear up got underway.
Gardai say staff were left devastated by the incident, with one saying: “This was so low, so despicable.
“We have to deal with burglaries all the time but it takes a particular type of criminal to break into a special needs school and steal money from them because that’s what has happened here – this thief or thieves have taken money from some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”
It’s understood Gardai may be linking the theft to a series of break-ins in the past week in the same area.
Burglars also targeted offices at Mountain Top quarry on Thursday night/Friday morning.
Earlier in the week burglars crashed a car near Kilmacrennan.
As Gardai carried out a follow-up operation, the thieves broke into a house in the area and made off with the family car.
Anyone who can help Letterkenny Gardai catch those responsible for the school break-in are asked to call the town Garda station on 0749167100.
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