COUNCILLORS CONDEMN SPATE OF VANDALISM
Councillors condemn spate of vandalism
THE recent spate of vandalism in Omagh, including the destruction of the Garden of Remembrance and attacks on schools and Omagh College, was condemned at the monthly meeting of Omagh District Council.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the council, Mr. Johnny McLaughlin asked for the suspension of standing orders to allow the council members to collectively condemn the vandalism to the Garden.
His motion was supported by Mr. Crawford McFarland, who said that the vandalism had been a disgrace not just for the families of the bereaved and injured, but also for the entire community.
"A lot of people have been hurt by this," he said.
Mr. Seamus Shields said it was important that the council spoke as one, and said what had occurred was beyond an outrage and deeply offensive.
Concurring with the sentiments of other councillors, Mr. Oliver Gibson also praised council staff for pulling out the stops to ensure that the Garden was restored as quickly as possible.
The vandalism was also condemned by Mr. Paddy McGowan, who also acknowledged the work of the council staff in restoring the damage, and who went on to condemn the "terrible degree of vandalism" that had taken place in the town recently, and particularly to schools.
He said that the vandalism had been condemned from the pulpit in his own church, and the parish priest had appealed to parents to make sure they knew where their children were at night.
He went on to highlight how he had been contacted by parents at the weekend, who had been distraught because their 15-year-old daughter had not come home when she was supposed to, and when they had gone to look for her, they had discovered a group of between 60 and 80 young people, as young as 14, on the riverbank adjacent to the bus depot, and many were involved in underage drinking.
Mr. Sean Clarke said he too, condemned the vandalism at the Garden of Remembrance, as did Mr. Vincent Campbell, who said that the vandalism had been a disgusting act which had caused offence not only in Omagh, but around the world.
He went on to condemn wider vandalism, and said that it had also come to light that joyriders were buying cars cheaply at auction, and driving them at speed in estates throughout the district.
He said that often the cars were bought for as little as �30, and the young divers did not have insurance or other documentation, and he went on to call for a tightening of the legislation to allow something to be done about it.
Mr. Francis Mackey said he wished to be associated with comments condemning the "disgraceful act of vandalism". He also went on to say that the various instances of vandalism and threats of intimidation in housing estates in the town recently were indicative of the need for a proper and adequate police service which enjoyed the support of all. Such a police force, he said would curb antisocial behaviour.
Councillors Reuben McKelvey and Tom Buchanan also condemned the vandalism of the Garden of Remembrance, and Mr. Buchanan added that what had occurred was a reflection on government policy which had allowed criminals out onto the street again.
"The problem lies with the government which has failed to restore law and order. That is where the problem lies," he said.
THE recent spate of vandalism in Omagh, including the destruction of the Garden of Remembrance and attacks on schools and Omagh College, was condemned at the monthly meeting of Omagh District Council.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the council, Mr. Johnny McLaughlin asked for the suspension of standing orders to allow the council members to collectively condemn the vandalism to the Garden.
His motion was supported by Mr. Crawford McFarland, who said that the vandalism had been a disgrace not just for the families of the bereaved and injured, but also for the entire community.
"A lot of people have been hurt by this," he said.
Mr. Seamus Shields said it was important that the council spoke as one, and said what had occurred was beyond an outrage and deeply offensive.
Concurring with the sentiments of other councillors, Mr. Oliver Gibson also praised council staff for pulling out the stops to ensure that the Garden was restored as quickly as possible.
The vandalism was also condemned by Mr. Paddy McGowan, who also acknowledged the work of the council staff in restoring the damage, and who went on to condemn the "terrible degree of vandalism" that had taken place in the town recently, and particularly to schools.
He said that the vandalism had been condemned from the pulpit in his own church, and the parish priest had appealed to parents to make sure they knew where their children were at night.
He went on to highlight how he had been contacted by parents at the weekend, who had been distraught because their 15-year-old daughter had not come home when she was supposed to, and when they had gone to look for her, they had discovered a group of between 60 and 80 young people, as young as 14, on the riverbank adjacent to the bus depot, and many were involved in underage drinking.
Mr. Sean Clarke said he too, condemned the vandalism at the Garden of Remembrance, as did Mr. Vincent Campbell, who said that the vandalism had been a disgusting act which had caused offence not only in Omagh, but around the world.
He went on to condemn wider vandalism, and said that it had also come to light that joyriders were buying cars cheaply at auction, and driving them at speed in estates throughout the district.
He said that often the cars were bought for as little as �30, and the young divers did not have insurance or other documentation, and he went on to call for a tightening of the legislation to allow something to be done about it.
Mr. Francis Mackey said he wished to be associated with comments condemning the "disgraceful act of vandalism". He also went on to say that the various instances of vandalism and threats of intimidation in housing estates in the town recently were indicative of the need for a proper and adequate police service which enjoyed the support of all. Such a police force, he said would curb antisocial behaviour.
Councillors Reuben McKelvey and Tom Buchanan also condemned the vandalism of the Garden of Remembrance, and Mr. Buchanan added that what had occurred was a reflection on government policy which had allowed criminals out onto the street again.
"The problem lies with the government which has failed to restore law and order. That is where the problem lies," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0875
Published Date: 03-May-01
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