Recurring graffiti will not be tolerated says Cookstown District Council

Graffiti that was twice daubed on a shop in Cookstown

This statement comes after Stewart’s Nisa on Morgan’s Hill Road was defaced with the words “DRUGS OUT U.V.F” twice in the same week.

A council spokesman said they had first received reports that the gable wall of the shop was attacked with a spray can on the morning of October 29.

And, at a cost to the taxpayer, sent out a contractor later that day to remove the graffiti as part of the Clean Neighbourhood Programme.

However, they added: “We understand that a further incident was reported on Friday, October 31, and the council’s Contractor had been re-engaged to have the material removed.”

But while both incidents have been dealt with, and the graffiti has now been painted over, it appears that Cookstown Council often have to deal with the same words more than once.

“We probably have to paint at least two, if not three times anyway to try and deter the individuals concerned,” their spokesman added.

“The repetitive behaviour takes a number of occasions to actually get the message across - but it’s not going to be tolerated, and it’s going to be painted over every time you put it up.”