CCTV 'vital' weapon against vandals

Graffiti at GAA dugout and vandalism on Fairy Trail.

Footage from CCTV has been ‘vital’ in helping Kilcullen gardai detect those perpetrating acts of vandalism, writes Brian Byrne.

That was said at the monthly meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, where recent vandalism problems at Kilcullen GAA and in the Valley Park were discussed with Sergeant Tom O’Donoghue.

He told those present that CCTV had already resulted in some people being questioned about graffiti on recently refurbished dugouts at the GAA grounds. “We’re happy that those particular people were not involved, but we’re confident that we will find out who was,” he said.

In response to concern raised by Eoin Houlihan as to what can be done when vandals are juveniles, Sergeant O’Donoghue recalled successful detections in the vandalism instances around the damage to the Easter Bunny and separately to the flower boxes on the bridge earlier this year, which resulted in apologies and donations to KCA funds.

Noel Clare commented on the ‘huge amount’ of graffiti which was happening lately in the Valley, using pen or marker that was very difficult to remove. He asked that Garda patrols should include the Valley as much as possible.

Sergeant O’Donoghue agreed that this kind of vandalism was ‘so frustrating’. “It’s being done late at night, and very hard to catch them,” he noted.

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