A NORTHSIDE pitch and putt club has been the target of a sinister vandalism attack, which saw most of its greens slashed and ripped up with a knife.
Three hooded thugs, who were caught on CCTV, ripped up 11 of the 18 greens in Erin’s Isle pitch and putt club, Finglas, in an attack lasting less than 30 minutes that took place in the early hours of Saturday, September 29.
The beautifully manicured and well-maintained greens of the pitch and putt club are situated in the grounds of the hugely popular Erin’s Isle GAA club.
Staff were left shocked and devastated by the premeditated attack that took place just days before a charity pitch and putt blitz was due to be held at the club to raise money for Motor Neuron Disease.
According to Eugene Woodward, chairman of the pitch and putt section of Erin’s Isle, the culprits knew the club and its layout.
“The two guys look to be in their late teens and were wearing hooded tops,
? he told Northside People.
“They were seen coming in at 12.40am and leaving a little after 1am after they’d ripped the grass of 11 green greens with something like a Stanley knife.
“There’s no way you’d find the greens in the dark like that unless you knew the layout well so they definitely knew what they were doing.
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The attackers’ intent was to cause as much damage and destruction to the greens as possible, according to Mr Woodward.
“They cut patches out of the green which would have taken a fair bit of effort,
? he explained.
“We had to try to piece them back like a jigsaw and what’s worse is that they moved the patches around to other greens just to try to confuse us or something.
“It just defies all logic. How could anyone derive fun and entertainment from such wanton destruction?
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Mr Woodward explained how much effort goes into getting the greens up to the standard required for pitch and putt.
“This has been a huge setback for all those who work so hard to maintain the greens,
? he said.
“We’ve pieced back the pieces and we’ll have to replant grass seeds which will take time to develop before the greens will be anywhere near the condition they were in prior to the vandalism.
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A spokesperson for the Gardai in Finglas said the incident is being investigated and that CCTV is being viewed as part of the investigation.
No arrests have yet been made and anyone with information is asked to contact the gardai on 01-6667500.