'Absolutely shocking' - extensive damage caused in Mayo town
Photos: Conor McKeown
A Mayo town has been left horrified after a criminal damage spree saw homes, cars, and community buildings targeted.
A man in his 30s has been arrested following a criminal damage rampage in the St John's Place area of Westport.
It is believed that the suspect was wielding a hammer when the carnage occurred.
In the early hours of this morning, 21 windows in the Order of Malta building were broken. Damage was caused to multiple parked vehicles with motorists waking up to smashed windows and windscreens. A HSE residential home for people with additional needs was also targeted and a window in the local library was broken. There were no attempts made to enter any premises.
Eamon Berry, of Westport Order of Malta, told the Western People that he was left “incensed” when he learned of what happened.
“This is a quiet area in an old established part of town. It’s absolutely shocking what has happened. We have 21 windows broken but what I’m absolutely horrified by is what happened to our neighbours across the road where there is sheltered housing for very vulnerable people,” said Mr Berry.
He said “It does not bear thinking about what was going on” in the mind of the person responsible.
“I’m not often lost for words but I am about this,” said Mr Berry.
He said it was shocking for their neighbours in local houses to wake up and see the windows of their vehicles completely smashed. It is understood some of the incidents will have been captured on CCTV.
“The amount of damage that has been done is incredible,” said Mr Berry but he is concerned that the fear and psychological damage caused will be even greater.
A Garda statement said: "Gardaí are investigating a criminal damage incident that occurred in Westport, Co. Mayo this morning, Friday 27th September 2024 at approximately 3am during which a number of vehicles and properties had their windows broken.
"A man (aged in his 30s) was arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in the Western Region.
"Investigations are ongoing."
