Over 30 cases of vandalism in national parks

Ken Foxe

Protected habitats have been burned, vandalised, and torn up across national parks over the past 18 months.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) recorded dozens of incidents of arson, scrambler damage, theft, and repeated acts of vandalism at one location in County Galway.

Ten of the 34 cases of damage were logged at Coole Park near Gort, Co Galway.

This included three separate occasions when a person – or persons – deliberately blocked toilets with loo roll, including the disabled facility.

In other cases at Coole Park, floor tiles were torn up, cobbles were removed and strewn around, and locks were cut off gates.

There were also multiple further incidents of fires, removal of signs, and damaged padlocks at the site.

A note said: “Further damage and theft from outside toilet block, including repeated removal of disinfectant dispensers; either being taken or thrown into nearby vegetation.

“[Also], toilets being blocked with toilet roll and hand towels on repeated occasions; soap dispensers emptied, and contents sprayed all over sink areas and floors.”

The two most serious incidents both took place in County Mayo and were the result of fire.

At Wild Nephin National Park, more than forty hectares of conifer forest and peatland were destroyed in a suspected arson attack in April of this year.

A few days earlier, a separate wildfire destroyed the Claggan boardwalk and thirty hectares of peatland in the same protected habitat.

The Octagon at the Glen of the Downs Park in County Wicklow was another hotspot for antisocial activity, according to the NPWS files.

In March of last year, locks were cut, and graffiti was reported at the picturesque hilltop ruin.

Later, in August 2024, more locks were cut, and staff found further graffiti as well as extensive littering.

There was another incident in April of this year when a barrier was broken in the car park and locks were cut.

Other incidents logged by the NPWS included vandalism and the theft of 91 trees at Timahoe Esker Nature Reserve in Laois.

At Ballyteige Burrow Nature Reserve in Wexford in August, scramblers caused damage to protected dune and saltwater habitats.

It was one of three similar incidents at the site in the space of around six months.

At the Ridge of Capard in Co Laois, somebody took an angle grinder and deliberately removed an information sign.

Last February, in Killarney House Lodge in Kerry, there was damage to glass windows, flower pots and a security camera.

The NPWS also logged damage to a timber footbridge in Wild Nephin Park in Mayo and damage to land there from off-road vehicles crossing a river.

Other cases listed included shotgun pellets discovered on a barrier in Wicklow and interference with a trap used for tagging birds.