Anger after North Leitrim football club targeted by ‘mindless vandalism’

A football club in North Leitrim has been left disheartened at the start of a new season after their pitch was vandalised on September 2.

Manorhamilton Rangers’ football grounds, located beside the Bee Park Resource Centre, saw their ball stops damaged, after recently being installed. The structures are essential for safety.

Dave Cummins, PRO with Manorhamilton Rangers, described the incident as “mindless vandalism.”

“When I was putting up the nets, I saw it was cut in several places. It’s more an annoyance than anything else. We raise funds in the local community to put those ball stops up and they’re up there for everyone’s safety,” he said.

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The damage occurred just before the Super League opener. Cummins explained that the ball stops, which only went up last year, cost the club over €12,000.

“There’s no reason for doing it, it’s just pure mindless vandalism. It goes against all ethos of the community in that park because it’s a great community park,” he added.

The nets were cut in around six different places. The ball stops are considered vital for safety, preventing footballs from entering the nearby tennis courts where people may be playing, and from going into the river, where children might be tempted to retrieve them.

Images of the vandalised ball stops. (Manorhamilton Rangers Pro on Facebook)

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the club has been targeted. “We had an issue with the defibrillator attached to the dressing rooms, which was vandalised by a golf club. It was the GAA club’s defibrillator which isn’t there anymore, because it’s unsafe,” Cummins said.

He also explained that the soccer club’s defibrillator had previously been vandalised, forcing it indoors. 

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“It’s not ideal if someone needs it, because you have to go inside the building to access it. We’ve had noticeboards outside the dressing room smashed,” he added.

Cummins described the ball stops as a “huge, valuable thing” for the club, particularly given how recently they were installed. There is no CCTV in the area, and the vandalism is believed to have taken place at night.

In a Facebook post on September 3, Manorhamilton Rangers appealed for information: “If anyone is aware who is responsible please contact the club. It would make you feel like just walking away.”