MEMBERS of a Northside Tidy Towns group have launched a campaign to catch vandals who are destroying the area with graffiti.
Chairman of Tidy Towns Malahide, Gerry Rafferty, said the problem started a few weeks ago and has escalated.
“The town is being destroyed,
? Mr Rafferty told Northside People.
“We are appealing for help to catch those responsible as a matter of urgency. We are blighted by this graffiti and it’s very disheartening for our committee.
“Tidy Towns Malahide have been working tirelessly to keep Malahide a beautiful place to live and work in.
“Our volunteers have been painting, weeding, picking up litter and planting, all with an eye on winning a gold medal in the Tidy Towns competition.
“The fact that we achieved a gold in 2014 is testament to all the hard work done throughout the year.
“Unfortunately, we have been angered over the last few weeks to see our hard word undone by graffiti vandals.
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Mr Rafferty, who has been involved in Tidy Towns Malahide since 1996, is urging people in the community to help stop the wanton acts of vandalism.
“We are mounting a campaign to catch the culprits and send out a clear message that we will not allow these nasty people undo the hard work of many volunteers, community activists and Fingal County Council,
? he stated.
“We want parents to be aware that we will pursue all offenders.
? He asked local residents to be extra vigilant and if they witness this destructive practice to contact them in confidence (email tidytownsmalahide@gmail.com) or phone Malahide Garda Station (01-6664600).
Tidy Towns Malahide have provided photographs of the graffiti in the hope that someone recognises the tags and can help the group and the gardaà to identify the people responsible.
“This is a serious crime which costs tens of thousands of euro to constantly correct,
? added Mr Rafferty.
“We are working to stop this growing, destructive trend.
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Malahide has been synonymous with success in the National Tidy Towns competition over many years and was crowned overall winner in 1990.
It is the only town in Dublin to have won the national title since the competition’s inception in 1958. Malahide also won a gold medal at the prestigious European competition, Entente Florale, in 2003.
A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council said its environment and operations teams work very closely with Tidy Towns volunteers on a number of initiatives to keep towns and villages litter free, including a very successful adopt-a-patch programme.
“We are involved in a number of anti-litter and anti-grafitti awareness campaigns and do what we can in practical ways to support the tireless efforts of so many volunteers, business people and residents to keep their residential and business areas clean throughout the year,
? she told Northside People.
“Any person with information on illegal dumping or vandalism of any kind, including graffiti, should contact An Garda Siochana immediately.
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