Call for wisdom after vandals target life-saving equipment vandalism

VANDALISM of vital safety equipment stored at Moorlough has prompted a call for those responsible to think of their actions in the wake of the incident.

The Community Rescue Service found safety rings and ropes, used to help swimmers in distress, were missing during a recent inspection of the area.

Ivan Barr of Melmount Community Forum has branded those responsible as ‘thoughtless,’ saying, “This is just the latest incident where we have found equipment either vandalised or just simply stolen and I would put out the call for this type of behaviour to immediately cease. We have checked the equipment at the River Mourne and Strabane Canal which, thankfully, all seems to be in place. Why they choose to pick on Moorlough is beyond me.

“There are those people who think it is acceptable to do this, but it’s not. This is vandalism plain and simple. I don’t understand why people would find this funny and remove a safety ring or the rope.”

Furthermore, Mr Barr urges people to consider the consequences. “This equipment has been installed to help save lives should the need ever arise and, if the necessary equipment is not there when called for, then that could result in a serious incident or fatality. I don’t think the mindset of those responsible realise that their actions might end up contributing to a death and a custodial sentence if the perpetrators are caught.”

Concluding, Mr Barr asked anyone who finds safety equipment missing or damaged to contact Melmount Community Forum so it can be promptly replaced.