*Photograph: John Mangan
CLARE DISTRICT SOCCER LEAGUE “is fighting a losing battle against mindless vandalism” with the actions blamed for delaying a number of projects planned for the County Grounds.
Officers have said costs of thousands of euro has been incurred by the CDSL as a result of vandalism at the County Grounds, Frank Healy Park in Doora.
In a “press release” which was ironically not issued to the local press, the CDSL detailed that it was “fighting a losing battle against mindless vandalism”.
Damage by way of holes in the fencing to Frank Healy Park was noticed by CDSL officials in the summer of 2022. “A door into a storage area of the dressing rooms was broken in; however, nothing appeared to have been taken, as there really isn’t anything there to take. The committee, at this time, invested in a camera system in an effort to deter this unwanted activity”.
Not alone are the actions damaging the current facilities but also future plans for Frank Healy Park, the statement outlined. “In September, October and November the mail box on the exterior of the gate was vandalised and numerous important documents went missing pertaining to the planning application for the new suite of dressing rooms and to government grant applications. This caused delays in proceeding with a number of projects”.
All locks in Frank Healy Park were replaced in April “as the cameras were picking up images of what appeared to be youngsters, possibly teenagers, inside the grounds and around the building. In May, the cameras not yet a year in place, were vandalised and ripped down”.
This week, on Monday morning the home dressing room door was broken into. “This is simply mindless vandalism as nothing of any significant value is kept in these buildings. They are dressing rooms and a small kitchen, noting more. There aren’t even biscuits stored on site”.
Such actions are leaving a financial mark on the CDSL. “The costs associated with this vandalism is amounting to thousands of Euros at this stage. It looks likely that anti vandal shutters may have to be invested in just to stop idiots breaking teak doors for their amusement. CDSL is a voluntary body catering for more than 1,000 adult grade players. Frank Healy Park is the Clare County Grounds which caters for up to 6,000 people of all ages playing soccer. The executive of CDSL is flat out trying to do all it needs to do without having to deal with this kind of stupidity”.
