Kilcormac volunteers left 'disappointed and disheartened' by recent vandalism
Recent vandalism in the Kilcormac area has seen a rise in 'significant damage' to signage, seating areas, planting and other improvements made to the locality.
The Kilcormac Development Association (KDA) has issued an online statement regarding the matter, saying that the vandalism has left its members frustrated, disappointed and disheartened. It said the damage has been caused by a minority of people and in no way reflects the wider Kilcormac community, and has taken place in the past few months.
“These improvements were put in place for everyone to enjoy. What makes it particularly upsetting is knowing just how much time, effort, hard work and money has gone into making our town a nicer, more welcoming place to live.
“Behind every project are people who genuinely care about the community. Groups such as the KDA, Kilcormac Tidy Towns and many other local volunteers work tirelessly, often with very limited budgets, to improve our surroundings. Funding does not come easy. It takes countless hours of fundraising, grant applications, planning and voluntary work to bring these projects to life.
To see that work destroyed so carelessly is heartbreaking', the KDA said.
It added that such damage also has an impact on the group's finances, as it needs to use some of its funds to repair or replace damaged items.
“We know these incidents are the actions of a very small minority and do not reflect the wider community,” KDA said.
“The vast majority of people in Kilcormac take great pride in the town, and rightly so. We have achieved so much together and that is something worth protecting.”
In that respect, KDA is asking members of the community to keep an eye out, and if they witness any vandalism, suspicious behaviour or damage being caused to any community facilities or projects, to report the matter to An Garda Síochána.
“Please don't put yourself at risk by confronting anyone. But people can also make the KDA aware of any damage they come across. These are not just seats, signs or flowers. They represent the hard work, generosity and community spirit of people who give their time freely to make Kilcormac a better place. We should not have to keep replacing things that were put there for everyone's benefit.
“We have a wonderful community, filled with people who care deeply about where they live. Let's work together to protect what we have built and ensure the efforts of volunteers are respected. A little more pride, a little more respect, and a little more looking out for one another can go a long way,” the KDA said.