The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE theft of netting from an Ennis sporting club’s grounds has been labelled as “bizarre” by the club’s president.
A total of 120m² of catch netting, which was only installed at Ennis Rugby Club in January at a cost of €11,000, was stolen
overnight last Wednesday.
It is believed that the culprits used a ladder to gain entry to the Showgrounds Road-based grounds.
While it is not known how much it will cost to replace the netting, club president Richard Murphy said that he expects it
will be “close to four figures”.
Speaking to The Clare Champion after the theft, Mr Murphy confirmed that gardaí are investigating the incident.
He said the club can’t understand why someone would take the netting.
“It’s hard to fathom; somebody obviously had some use for it. To take 120m², that obviously took some effort and time. They would have needed to bring a ladder.”
He described the theft as “a shame”, saying the money that they will need to spend on replacing the netting could have been put to better use by the club in providing facilities for children and adults.
“It’s money we could do without having to spend. The nets only got done in January and the cost of installation was about
€11,000.
“It’s only a section that they took, so the replacement will be a fraction of that but it will be close to four figures. It’s
not a huge financial hit but it’s an inconvenience and it’s money we could be spending elsewhere. We have more pressing needs for it.
“We’re about to undertake a big investment in our clubhouse, soevery penny counts.”
He said that despite this setback, the club is determined to carry on.
“The net will be repaired and we’ll get on with it. We won’t let it get to us.”
He continued, “It’s just bizarre. Our biggest concern would have been to secure the building but you don’t think you have to try looking after your ball-catch netting.
The net is no good for fishing; the holes are too big. I just don’t know what anybody would want with it.”
Mr Murphy said he was concerned that the thieves may strike in other areas and he wanted to make the public aware. He urged anybody with any information about the theft to contact the gardaí in Ennis.
“Hopefully by talking about this it will make people aware and that if anybody knowns anything they will contact the gardaí and that it might make other organisations more vigilant.”
Jessica Quinn
