An act of mindless vandalism dedicated on the former St Patrick’s Particular college constructing in Enniscorthy has been branded as “an absolute shame”.
ometime over the weekend intruders gained entry to the previous college constructing and within the phrases of principal, Lee Rogers, “fully ransacked it”.
It seems the culprits gained entry to the constructing by smashing a window, nevertheless as soon as inside they set about inflicting an in depth quantity of harm to the property.
Describing the incident as “determined” Mr Rogers mentioned he was resulting from meet with the folks behind the native Christmas shoebox attraction this week with the view to them utilizing the old fashioned constructing as a base or storing the shoeboxes.
“Clearly, that will not occur now and that’s very disappointing,” mentioned Mr Rogers.
The matter got here to mild when gardaí investigated a report of fireworks being set off close to the varsity and so they then notified Mr Rogers in regards to the break in.
He mentioned he was on the constructing on Friday and every little thing was okay however someday over the weekend the harm occurred.
“We spent €2,000 a few weeks in the past to vary all of the locks however I’m undecided what we are able to do now,” mentioned Mr Rogers.
He pointed on the market are in extra of 100 home windows within the constructing and it might price loads to cowl board them up other than how unpleasant it might look.
“There are 100 home windows and the cash we must use to cowl them is cash that we’d have used for youths within the new college,” mentioned Mr Rogers.
He mentioned he was contacted by the gardai at round 7.30 p.m. on Sunday and the harm was accomplished someday between then and Friday night, when he final checked the constructing.
In addition to burning books within the constructing, and setting off fireplace extinguishers, it is believed the intruders additionally turned on deep fats fryers within the kitchen which might have led to a way more severe scenario.
“It’s pure vandalism for the sake of vandalism,” mentioned Mr Rogers.
“It is simply very unhappy to see this occur as a result of it serves no goal and there actually is not any want for it,” he added.
“It’s not even like there’s something worthwhile stealing in there it’s simply inflicting harm for the sake of it.”
Mr Rogers mentioned a choice should be made with regard to the way forward for the constructing and mentioned: “We can be attempting to eliminate it as rapidly as we are able to.”
He mentioned there are loads of potential makes use of that it could possibly be used for and mentioned it might make an excellent neighborhood centre however so long as it stays vacant it stands danger of being vandalised.
Cllr John O’Rourke additionally expressed disgust and anger over the matter. Having requested the native authority on a variety of events to seek out out what the HSE deliberate to do with the previous college website and constructing he mentioned that having it mendacity idle was like making it a goal.
“Nobody appeared to maneuver on it and now we’re on this scenario which is kind of appalling,” mentioned Cllr O’Rourke.
He mentioned it was dreadful to see the harm brought on to the constructing and emphasised some extent that he has made at quite a few native authority conferences that the constructing could possibly be put to excellent use if the native authority discusses its potential use with the HSE.
“I’m very aggravated that nothing has been accomplished on this and now right here had been are,” he mentioned.
“The HSE spends large quantities of cash on monstrosities just like the one out on the Dublin highway when that cash could possibly be pumped in upgrading present website after which the leftover cash might really be put into companies similar to psychological well being.”
He mentioned the same constructing on the campus of St John’s Group Hospital in Enniscorthy would have “in all probability skilled comparable” however for the very fact it is on the hospital campus.
“In the event that they upgraded these buildings they might put extra cash into psychological well being companies and such like,” mentioned Cllr O’Rourke.
In the meantime, the gardaí are finishing up an investigation into the incident on the former St Patrick’s Faculty website and anybody with details about the matter can contact them in strict confidence on 053 9242580.
