Daring theft leaves Offaly canoe club "disgusted and saddened"
A sports club in north Offaly has organised a Christmas fundraiser to replace solar panel batteries and an inverter which were stolen during a daring raid at its premises.
David Ramone, chairman of Daingean Canoe Club, has spoken this week of his “disappointment and shock” at the theft and said members were left with no option but to organise a fundraising event to try to recoup the cost of their stolen property.
The club, which was only established early last year, has been a huge success in Daingean with 44 full-time members and a waiting list of over 20 people, but the theft of their solar panel batteries and inverter has dealt a huge blow to its hopes for expansion.
The batteries and inverter are worth in the region of €800 which David Ramone says is “a big loss for a small club” and, in an effort to recoup some of the money, they have organised a 'Christmas Light Paddle' on Sunday, December 14, which will see a fleet of canoes festooned in Christmas lights paddle along the Grand Canal.
“We are hoping to have a fun afternoon with market stalls, a raffle, mulled wine. festive treats and carol singing and then at 5pm we will light up the Grand Canal when we set off in our canoes,” says the club chairman.
Daingean Canoe Club is located at the entrance to the former Castle Barna Golf Club on the banks of the canal, and members use it as their base when they are out on the water.
“It is a very quiet area, and we feel the thieves may have entered the premises a few days before we discovered it, as the club does not operate during the winter months due to the colder temperatures,” explained David Ramone.
The theft was reported to local Gardai and investigations are ongoing into the incident. “We are still very shocked about it all,” admits the club chairman, who says the local community has been “hugely supportive” of Daingean Canoe Club since it was established.
“We always have big numbers of adults and children at our training sessions and it is a really welcome social outlet in the area, particularly for young people.”
The club has posted pictures of the stolen batteries and inverter on its Facebook page and has issued a public appeal for people to remain “aware and vigilant” as the investigation into the theft continues.
They have asked anyone who sees the stolen items for sale, or is offered them privately, to let them know.
“All our members are disgusted and deeply saddened that someone could do something like this to a small club that is just trying to get kids and adults to enjoy the paddle in the canal,” said the post.