Dismay as vandals target Mountbellew Woods

GARDAI are appealing for information after two picnic benches in Mountbellew Woods were vandalised.

One bench was left smouldering after a firecracker was used to set fire to it overnight on Sunday October 10, resulting in the Fire Service having to attend to extinguish it. Another bench, located 20 feet away, was also vandalised with paint. Two other benches nearby weren't damaged.

“The woods and its walkways are a fantastic site to have here, I just can’t understand why somebody would do this,” Jimmy Noone, President of the Mountbellew Heritage and Tourism Network, told The Tuam Herald.

“The bench was only put up by Coillte earlier this year, it is very frustrating to see it damaged so quickly. People have picnics here and sometimes they leave some rubbish behind. But this is different, as it caused huge damage. It is so disappointing seeing this happen in our woods.”

Mountbellew Woods is a popular local attraction, hosting weekly runs through its woodland walkways, alongside other community led events in the past.

Jimmy estimates it will cost at least €300-€400 to replace the damaged benches, a cost which could rise should contactors be required to carry out the works, such as concreting the benches to the ground.

He is hopeful the incident won’t hurt the good relationship Coillte have built up with community organisations throughout Mountbellew.

“Coillte have been very good to us, but they don’t have to give anyone access to the woods. They can take away that access anytime they want,” Jimmy warned.

“The incident occurred very close to nearby trees, which if it spread to that area would’ve been all destroyed. We must hope that what happened over the weekend was just a one off.

“The reaction on social media has been massive, with people voicing their annoyance that this incident occurred. I’d be hoping the culprits see how disappointed people are and think twice before doing something like this again. People need to show more respect for these facilities.”