By Paul O’Donovan
“This is heartbreaking for the club,” said David Vaz, Chairman of Kinnegad Juniors FC, when speaking to Topic about a recent break-in at their grounds, which resulted in a ride-on lawnmower, strimmer, and other equipment being stolen from the club.
“We work hard as a committee and receive a lot of support from the parents and local businesses to help raise funds for these items,” added David, still very annoyed at the theft, which is a huge set-back for the club.
Formed ten years ago, Kinnegad Juniors is a relatively new soccer club that have made tremendous progress in a short period of time, but already this is the second break-in at the club.
The most recent occurred on the August bank holiday weekend, when, between Thursday, 30 July and Monday, 3 August, thieves broke in and stole several items from a locked container in their Lagan Park grounds on the Killucan Road, Kinnegad.
“They cut open the padlock on the gate to gain entry to the grounds, then they cut open a very sophisticated lock on one of the three portacabins beside the pitches. Amongst the items stolen were the club’s ride-on lawnmower valued at €3,500, a strimmer valued at €550, and other items valued at €300, plus there is the damage caused to the property which is approximately €500,” said David with great disappointment.
The criminals must have used power tools to get the lawnmower out, as it was secure in the container behind two very strong iron bars.
“We had put the extra security in because we had a mower robbed on us two years ago. But this time they cut open the lower bar, using a hydraulic cutter, and then took the equipment. Just when we thought we were getting back on our feet, we are knocked back down again,” said Mick Ronan, groundsman and committee member of Kinnegad Juniors.
“They must have used a trailer to take away the ride-on mower, so they knew what they were at. We raised approximately €5,000 in fundraising over the year, and that is the cost of the equipment they stole, so they virtually wiped out our fundraising for an entire year, which is very annoying,” said Liam Darcy Vice-Chairman of the club.
APPEAL FOR HELP
Gardaí in Kinnegad are still investigating the theft and David Vaz said, “This is the second time we have had a break-in and both times a ride-on mower has been stolen. We hope that the Gardaí can catch the culprits and retrieve our goods. We would ask the greater community of Kinnegad and Westmeath to look out for these goods and if there is anyone that can help with the use or contribution of a ride-on mower then please contact the club.
