The doors and windows of the new Presbyterian church being built in Mullingar, within a short distance of the Educate Together School – and close to the town’s ring-road and within a short distance of several large housing estates – have been broken and damaged by vandals, who have caused up to €5,000 in damage.
The glass in the two main doors of the church has been broken, and a large area of glass above the doors. The fact that the door frames have also been damaged and scarred when struck by large stones has worsened the damage, and repairs to the door area of the new building will cost in the region of €2,000, we’ve learned.
A further five or six windows in the church have also suffered damage, probably during the same malicious attack, with stones thrown through some windows, and others left with glass needing replaced. Those involved in the malicious attacks appear to have entered on to the building site, to judge by the force used in breaking the windows, and their locations around the building. It is reckoned that overall, damage of up to €4,000 has been caused by the vandalism.
Members of the Presbyterian community in Mullingar have been shocked and upset by the attacks.
When Topic spoke with the building contractor and those working on the site, they expressed their outrage and disgust at the damage caused and expressed the hope that Mullingar Gardai can track down those involved.
SCHOOL ALSO DAMAGED
A spokesperson for Mullingar Gardai, confirmed this week that up to seven windows in the new church building, which is still under construction, were broken maliciously in the past week or so, and Topic also learned that the nearby Educate Together primary school, attended by hundreds of children, has been hit by vandals with instances of criminal damage on at least nine occasions in the past four years, and also at least two break-ins at the school have been reported to the Gardai.
“This is what we’ve heard about, but there may have been more,” Topic was informed.
The Gardai said that their investigations into the attack on the church are ongoing.
While Topic was looking at the damaged church windows, we were also informed that a young member of the local Athletic Club was struck by a stone while out training recently.
MULTYFARNHAM ATTACK
The Gardai also confirmed that a window at Multyfarnham Friary was smashed on Monday night or Tuesday morning of this week, September 29/30. It is not known whether a break-in was being attempted, or if the damage was malicious.
