Historic Ballina building becomes a target for mindless vandals yet again
The historic convent building has yet again been vandalised.
A historic Ballina building has been targeted by vandals yet again.
Ten windows were smashed at the former Sisters of Mercy Convent on Tuesday night.
This comes after a number of windows were broken at the convent less than two weeks ago.
The building was previously vandalised in January this year with glass windows estimated to be over 150 years old destroyed.
The convent at McDermott Street, Ballina was built in 1867 by the Sisters of Mercy and has laid vacant and in a state of dereliction since its closure. Last year, the building was handed over to the community in the hopes of restoring the building for use by the community.
The building was vandalised in January this year with glass windows estimated to be over 150 years old destroyed. “It’s such a shame because that building is being restored by volunteers for the benefit of people in Ballina to create community space,” said Secretary of Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG Vincent Lang
A number of community groups and organisations are already using the premises. Mr Lang said the culprits are damaging their own community.
“The Convent will be a centre of Ballina charities and voluntary groups. That’s who the vandals are hurting,” he previously told the Western People.
The area remains a scene for illegal dumping with household waste, construction rubble and mattresses discarded at the site.
