Outrage after vandals cause damage to Burn Walk

RESIDENTS in the Head of the Town area are outraged after vandals damaged wooden sculptures and broke trees in the Burn Walk .

The area was cleaned-up and restored by residents during the summer months and has become a real haven for walkers and nature lovers in the area.

Condemning the vandalism Sinn Féin councillor Michaela Boyle explained. “This has caused a great deal of outrage and anger in the local community. This is a place of sanctity. It is used by a lot of people, especially since it was cleaned up by volunteers earlier in the year.

“I have been in contact with the Woodland Trust, which owns the land, and the council to see what can be done to prevent things like this happening. I have also asked the Woodland Trust about security in the area and if they could consider fencing it off to prevent easy access to the site.

“The Woodland Trust is mindful of doing something in the area, but they haven’t got round to doing it yet.

“I have asked them to take more interest in the site particular after local people have invested in cleaning it up,” Cllr Boyle continued.

“Some of the beautiful sculptures which were created by local people have been damaged, and that’s very disappointing as people really love them.

“There is a lot of anger, this area has been preserved for a lifetime and I want people to be able to use it and enjoy it as it was neglected for so long.

“The agencies with responsibility do need to step up and do more to protect it. There were even trees cut down at some stage.

“People in the area take great pride in The Burn – and they have done for a generation. They have effectively take ownership of the area and are proud of the beautiful setting. It’s very disheartening this has happened,” Cllr Boyle added.

“Whoever did this needs to wise up – why would you do this to the beautiful landscape? 

“I am also calling on the community to be more vigilant and if they see anything suspicious in the area to report it immediately.”