Vandals target villages’ summer planting

EAST Clare Tidy Towns’ committees are battling vandalism and theft of recently planted flowers in the area.
Cormac McGuinness of Quin Tidy Towns has reported that in the past few days, flowers have been taken up from displays in the village, despite this activity having been reported to gardaí in the past.
“At Ard na Mainstreach we put up a new hanging pole with two baskets and they have been taken up within the last 24 hours. On July 13 last, more flowers were stolen from the Eircom beds in Quin Gardens where they took some lobelia and begonias from Quinville Hill. They were well organised and didn’t leave a footprint, would appear to be taking them for further use,” he said.
The Tidy Towns’ group has been using universal clips to secure the hanging baskets to deter thieves but has said that this type of activity is to be condemned. He explained that in order to keep costs to a minimum, the Tidy Towns’ committee in Quin had cultivated their own flowers from seed to minimise costs and this was a blow to their supply.
Michael Collins, the vice-chair of Feakle Community Council explained that in Feakle, the phenomenon has also struck with shrubs having been pulled up in the last month or so.
“We had seven or eight shrubs pulled up after we planted them near the school. They were planted to improve the area. I feel that people should have more pride in their parish. It is only right to make it look nice. It is very disappointing that they would be vandalised like this. I would ask people to be more observant and see if we can find out who’s doing it,” Mr Collins said.
He explained that since this act of vandalism, another eight shrubs were replanted and add greatly to the area.
Meanwhile, Philip Moreau, chair of Bodyke Community Council, explained they had a number of incidents of people stealing hanging baskets last year and the culprits were identified. He advised others going through this issue “not to give up and to persevere through vigilance and community watch”.
Mountshannon Community Council  reported flowers being vandalised in recent weeks.
Damian Heaney of Tuamgraney Development Association explained that while their area has not had problems recently, they also faced this issue in the past.
“We had pots and tubs stolen from us. We had large black containers stolen from us and hanging baskets previously. We now use a security lock on each of the hanging baskets, which secures them to the pole. We have been fortunate we haven’t had it this year but it had been expensive to replace these items and it was a frustration. We have to fundraise to provide these flowers and this activity makes our job more difficult. The mind boggles, everyone who does this is voluntary to make their own place that bit more enjoyable for everyone and I find it mind-boggling that people will take a fancy to this. It’s a sign of the society in which we live in,” he concluded.