'Disgrace' as Castlederg's Christmas tree lights vandalised after switch-on
Thursday, 4 December 2008
by Emma Stewart.
An attack on Castlederg's Christmas tree within days of the official 'switch-on' has been roundly condemned by community representatives, after £400 worth of new lights were damaged beyond repair.
Only illuminated on Saturday afternoon, the lights on a steel tree in The Diamond in the town centre had been torn down by Monday morning.
Malcolm Scott, chief technical officer with Strabane District Council, said this latest attack on the area's amenities is a 'disgrace'.
“From what I am told at 11.30pm or midnight it was all ok, so we can only presume it was vandalised some time after that on Sunday night.
“It was one of the metal trees the council uses - a number of towns have them.
“We had ordered four new sets of lights this year, and at £95 a set you're not far shy of £400. They were completely vandalised - pulled apart, and they're beyond repair. We now have to order them new again, and even getting them at this time of year is going to be a nightmare," he said.
“We had security panels around the tree last year, but it's a sad time when you have to protect things like this from vandals.
“It's a sad reflection on the state of things, when you're just trying to improve areas and this is what you get in return. It is the ratepayers who bear the cost.
“These thugs or hooligans, or whatever you want to call them, cannot hold everybody else to ransom," Mr Scott said.
Desecration
Derek Hussey, Derg councillor, has reacted angrily to this "latest desecration of public facilities within Castlederg town centre".
“Previously we have seen our 'new' town clock destroyed, now we have witnessed the appalling damage to a community facility - our town's Christmas tree - with the lights only having been turned on last Saturday," he said.
“What kind of mindset have some people in our area got that they would resort to such mindless behaviour.
“These decorations are provided for all in our community, but there are obviously those who do not respect the greater majority.
“I will be urging and am confident that the council will repair the damage, but I trust they they will not have to do so again," Mr Hussey added.
“I urge anyone with any knowledge of the activities on Sunday night/Monday morning to contact local police or indeed myself with reference to this desecration of Castlederg's Christmas atmosphere."
Castlederg community activist, Gordon Speer, said that it is 'sad' that community amenities need protection from vandals.
“It's very disappointing that somebody would do something like that. A lot of work went into getting them up and getting them paid for. It's very annoying," he said.
“We're thinking of putting them up higher, up where they can't reach to do any damage, but it's hateful you have to go to that length."
On the use of security panels previously he said: "Well it just looks a bit odd, to have to do that around a Christmas tree. We thought we would have got away without them this year - for a while at least - but they weren't even up two days."
The incident was also condemned at a meeting of Strabane District Council on Monday night, where Derg members, Thomas Kerrigan and Gerard Foley, condemned the vandalism.
Mr Kerrigan said: "I would condemn those responsible at this time of year and this is not the first time this has happened.
“I would certainly condemn this and ask for anyone with information to go to the PSNI."
Likewise Jim Emery, Glenelly councillor, agreed that such acts - perpetrated by a minority - reflect poorly upon Castlederg.
“This is an act of vandalism and one which i certainly wish to condemn. This sort of thing seems to be ongoing at weekends, and perhaps the PSNI could give it a bit more attention, or indeed anyone with any information should contact the PSNI," he said.
“It has been repaired and hopefully will not be destroyed again."
