A Mayo national school has been left devastated after joyriders vandalised their newly developed playing fields.

The pitch and playground areas on which major redevelopment works have been undertaken by St Joseph’s National School in Ballinrobe and cost in the region of €70,000 were badly damaged last Thursday evening (February 11th) between 7pm and 8pm by two cars and a jeep doing doughnuts, leaving deep ruts in the turf.

Ballinrobe GAA has condemned "the reckless and abhorrent" vandalism in a statement on Facebook, adding that is it unlikely that the 450-pupil school will be able to use the facility before the end of the year.

"Ballinrobe GAA Club unequivocally condemns the reckless and abhorrent vandalism of the St Joseph’s National School pitch last night by people who thought it was acceptable to drive and do doughnuts on what is a fantastic facility for the children of the school," Ballinrobe GAA said.  

"It shows a complete lack of respect for our local sporting facilities at a time when the children of the community have been very restricted in their ability to play outdoors and enjoy sport. That pitch was newly developed at a cost of approximately €70,000 and received a lot of support from the businesses and members of the local community.

"It was officially opened mid-2019. It is now unlikely that they will be able to use the facility before the end of the school year. The perpetrators of this despicable act should be ashamed of themselves."
 

 

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