Loughcrew to remain accessible to the public despite vandalism
The OPW has said closing off public access to the Neolithic burial monument at Loughcrew would not be “an acceptable” course of action despite recent acts of vandalism at the Oldcastle site.
Graffiti was etched across elements of the various passage tombs and is the latest in a series of acts of vandalism at the national monument site which is accessible year round to the public.
Condemning these mindless acts of vandalism, Minister Patrick O’Donovan, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said: “The Loughcrew cairns are passage tombs of great antiquity. They are part of our cultural inheritance and I am shocked that some of the ancient carved stones at this heritage site have been recklessly damaged by graffiti. I appeal to anybody with information in relation to this incident to contact the local Gardaí to help find the culprits.”
A spokespersom said the OPW had “no wish to close off or restrict access to the site at Loughcrew.”
“However, at the start of the pandemic and in response to Government guidelines, signage and barriers were installed at the site, not to limit access but to increase awareness of Covid-19 and encourage visitors to be mindful of themselves and each other. These signs and barriers were removed and/or damaged by persons unknown, leading OPW to believe that any attempt to close off or restrict access would not be an acceptable course of action.”
In response to a pattern of ongoing destructive behaviour at the heritage site, the OPW has engaged the services of a security company which will carry out a patrol of the hilltop each evening.
Previous incidents had seen the visitor counter and the guides’ hilltop cabin vandalised, signage at the site removed and protective fencing, erected to comply with public health restrictions, torn down by persons unknown. Anti-social incidents have been notified to An Garda Síochána and Gardaí are aware of anti-social behaviour at the heritage site.
Sinn Fein TD Johnny Guirke hit out at the vandalism on the 5,000 year old Cairns. “These monuments may be unrepairable as the perpetrators etched their graffiti deep into the passage tombs at the Loughcrew Cairns site.
“I would urge anyone with information on the damage caused at Loughcrew Cairns to contact the Garda Siochana and help them bring prosecutions against those involved in the incident.
Minister of State and local Meath East TD Thomas Byrne said: “Our heritage sites have provided important accessible spaces for the enjoyment and benefit of the public and it is shocking that anyone would think it acceptable to damage decorative stones left by our ancestors from thousands of years ago.
“I condemn such mindless vandalism at one of our most significant archaeological monuments and I hope that the culprits are identified and brought to justice,” Minister Byrne concluded.