School pitch wrecked by vandals

A local primary school has been left without use of its playing pitch after a car was driven up on it last weekend, causing extensive damage.

Pupils of Scoil Eoin Báiste, Nobber, had to use the local GAA pitch for their football practice this week,  following the act of vandalism that has shocked locals.

The damage was discovered when teachers returned to school on Monday morning and teacher Ronan McGahan said it is now unplayable. The car had to drive up a bank to get on to the pitch which is at the rear of the school.

It is thought the damage happened on Saturday night/Sunday morning. It has been reported to local Gardai.

'On Monday, when we came into school we noticed some subsidence on the bank and thought it was strange and then on further investigation we saw there were car tracks up the bank on to the playing field,' said Mr McGahan.

'They drove the length of the field a couple of times and in one place turned around and around causing extensive damage in that place which leaves the pitch unplayable, particularly with the the current wet weather.

'Cumann na mBun Scoil is scheduled to begin at the end of February and we had organised football training on Wednesday afternoon so we had to take the children to the local pitch. It is not a major problem but it is an inconvenience.'

Mr McGahan said the pitch will have to be mole drained and reseeded in the place where the worst damage is to even it out.

'We are very disappointed. We are very proud of our pitch at the back of the school and we fundraised two years ago for new goal posts. During spring and summer terms the children use the field for football, rounders and cross country training.'

Principal Anne-Marie McKenna said they were very annoyed by what had happened. 'We go out of our way to provide facilities for the children and to have property mistreated like that is extremely disappointing and frustrating.'

The school is appealing for anyone with information on the incident to contact Gardai.