Bear Rock painted pink in Giro prank

Ballygally residents could barely believe their eyes on Monday morning, when they discovered that local landmark Bear Rock had been vandalised with pink paint.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2014, 17:00 BST
Ballygally's Bear Rock, which was covered in pink paint by vandals. Photo by Bill Guiller. INLT 19-703-con.Ballygally's Bear Rock, which was covered in pink paint by vandals. Photo by Bill Guiller. INLT 19-703-con.
Ballygally's Bear Rock, which was covered in pink paint by vandals. Photo by Bill Guiller. INLT 19-703-con.

The bear-shaped rock, normally a natural stone colour, had been daubed bright pink and its features covered by a crudely-painted black smile.

In recent weeks a number of landmarks have been officially painted pink for the Giro by the Council and local business owners.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, Ballygally business owner Jennifer Riley described the incident as a ‘tragedy of the Giro.’

She told The Times: “Bear Rock is an icon for the Antrim Coast and it has been ruined.

“I can’t tell you how scandalous it is that some eejits have sloshed paint over it.

“My guests are absolutely horrified. This is a prank that’s not very funny.”

A PSNI spokesperson said that although the incident had been reported, no crime had been committed as the landmark is a natural rock and therefore has no owner.

Related topics:CouncilPSNI