Calls for CCTV after weekend wrecking spree in Coalisland

Masonry destroyed at the Cornmill Heritage Centre in Coalisland. Photos provided by local SDLP councillor, Malachy Quinn, who visited the site.

Mid Ulster Council said they were “deeply disappointed” at the incident, believed to have taken place some time after 4am on Sunday May 29, while calls have been made for CCTV in a bid to deter further destruction of property.

The council spokesperson said a clean-up operation would be carried out “in-house”, and it’s unclear if there will be a cost associated.

Coalisland councillor, Joe O’Neill, said he and members of the public helped to clear the area around the Cornmill after he was inundated with calls from people eager to give their support.

One of the flower troughs which were overturned during a vandalism spree in Coalisland

The Sinn Fein representative for the area said there had been an “outcry” from the local community following the incident.

“It was certainly not children who did this”, Cllr O’Neill continued. “It took five of us to lift the flower boxes. It is just unreal to think that people would do this. I believe it took place some time after 4am and I have been talking to police about it.”

Mid Ulster Sinn Fein MLA, Linda Dillon, urged those with information about the matter to come forward to the PSNI, adding: “There was over £1,500,000 spent to improve the area around the Cornmill for everyone in the town but yet again those who have no self respect have to ruin it for everyone.”

Meanwhile, Torrent SDLP councillor, Malachy Quinn, said he was “absolutely disgusted” at what had taken place.

Cllr Quinn continued: “We work hard here in our town to try and bring in money to improve it and now just months after the Cornmill has been fixed up we have these thugs come in and wreck it.

“I have had numerous phone calls and messages from people who are extremely angry at this and if anyone has information about who these people are then I ask them to bring it to the PSNI.

“These types of actions are not welcomed in Coalisland and the people who have done it need to wise up and get a life because they have nothing to offer this town.”

A Mid Ulster District Council spokeswoman said: “The Council is deeply disappointed at the vandalism that took place last weekend at the Cornmill, Coalisland, especially since that area has recently benefitted from approximately £100,000 improvement works under DSD’s Revitalisation Scheme. The damage will be repaired in-house.