TREES WERE BROKEN AND GLASS WAS SMASHED IN KILLALA TOWN PARK LAST WEEK AND THE WANTON ACT OF VANDALISM IS NOW BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE GARDAI.

THE MATTER WAS RAISED AT YESTERDAY’S BALLINA LOCAL AREA MEETING OF MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL, BY LOCAL COUNCILLOR JARLETH MUNNELLY.

COUNCILLOR MUNNELLY ASKED THE LOCAL AUTHORITY OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER RESTRICTING ACCESS TO THE HALF A MILLION EURO KILLALA PARK DEVELOPMENT AT NIGHT.

INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR GERRY GINTY SAID AT THE MEETING THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES HAVE TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILTY OF MAINTAINING THEIR OWN AMENITIES AND PROTECT THEM FROM VANDALS.

HE INSISTS PEOPLE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO NAME VANDALS AND FOLLOW UP IN COURT, IF REQUIRED, TO GIVE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM.

HE SAID YOU CANT EXPECT THE GUARDS, OR THE LOCAL AUTHORITY TO DO EVERYTHING WITHOUT THE COURAGE OF THE COMMUNITY STRONGLY BEHIND THEM.