Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 4:54pm

15 cars damaged as Kells vandals strike yet again

Up to 15 cars were damaged in a spate of vandalism in Kells in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A car parked at Kells Garda station was among the cars whose wing mirrors were kicked off in the latest spate of late-night vandalism in the town.

Most of the cars were damaged in the Mauldlin area, where there have been many previous incidents of damage to parked vehicles and Gardai have appealed to the public for help in their investigation.

Last Sunday morning's vandalism attack has led to calls for CCTV in the Maudlin area and local residents say they are at their wits' end because of the regular vandalism attacks in the area.

Eight cars were damaged on Maudlin Street in the early hours of Sunday, with two also damaged at the Fair Green and others damaged at Lord Edward Street, Crosscarrick and Cherry Hill Court. The culprits also kicked the wing mirror off a garda's private car which was parked outside Kells Garda Station.

Garda forensic experts examined a number of the cars this week. Gardai believe the culprits may be local and have appealed to any members of the public who witnessed anything to come forward.

One Mauldin Street resident, who did not want to be named because of fear of reprisals, said they were at their wits' end because of the vandalism and antisocial behaviour in the area almost every weekend.

While her vehicle was not one of those damaged on Sunday morning, her car has been vandalised twice in recent months with repair bills of over €2,000 arising out of the incidents.

"It is horrendous. People cannot park on the roadside outside their houses. This is happening regularly," she said.

She said antisocial behaviour in the locality was terrifying. Many elderly people lived in the area and the noise and trouble at night was very disturbing to them.

Local councillor, Conor Ferguson, agreed residents were at their wits' end. "They cannot leave their cars on the street or they will end up with huge repair bills. The wanton vandalism is unbelievable. I am calling on the Gardai and people of the area to be vigilant," he said.

Cllr Ferguson called for CCTV to be provided in the Maudlin area to help prevent further incidents.