Disappointment as vandals target Strabane GAA club

A STRABANE GAA club has hit out at a group of young people who damaged the club grounds and smashed bottles on the pitch in a recent spate of vandalism.

The committee at Strabane Sigersons GAA has been left frustrated after a group of young people smashed glass bottles on the playing surfaces, damaged the area surrounding the clubhouse and broke electricity ports which must now be replaced.

The recent spate of vandalism at Páirc Mhíc Sioghair in the Ballycolman has left the committee feeling “disappointed and frustrated.”

A spokesman said, “We provide some of the best facilities in Ulster, maybe even Ireland for Gaelic Games for the people of Strabane and surrounding areas.

“To see our facilities treated the way they have been by a very small minority of our young people is extremely disappointing and frustrating.

“This week we have seen glass bottles smashed on our playing surfaces, damage around the clubhouse and to electricity ports.

“This electricity port ( which can be seen in the pictures) was destroyed and now has to be replaced.

“The problem with this type of damage is the risk of serious injury or worse to users of our facilities.

“Last year we installed CCTV and we have captured many of the incidents,” they explained.

“As a club we do not want to take this any further.”

Earlier this year, Strabane Sigersons GAA Club celebrated the silver jubilee of its ground, Páirc Mhíc Sioghair.

The club committee has now appealed to those involved in the vandalism to stop or the club grounds will have to be closed up to the public.

The spokesman continued, “We love seeing young people making use of our facilities. This is what the GAA is all about.

“We would like to have every child in Strabane at our grounds and taking part in Gaelic Games.

“Please ensure your child knows the severity of these incidents and the danger that tampering with electrical ports could do.

“We don’t want to have to close our gates over this vandalism but if it continues we will be left with no option,” concluded the spokesman.