Vandals cause devastation at Tuam Stadium

Damage puts Galway fixtures in doubt

Culprits broke in twice

VANDALS have caused devastating damage to the pitch at Tuam Stadium which could put upcoming fixtures in jeopardy.

The joyriders used the ground’s tractor lawnmower to do donuts and dig up the pitch, causing serious damage.

The culprits broke into the stadium on two occasions over Monday and Tuesday, breaking locks to access the lawnmower and using implements to start it without the key.

Galway Football Committee Chairman Micheal Geraghty told The Tuam Herald that the incident is hugely disappointing and has left everyone at a local and County Board level dumbfounded.

“After the high of the recent Galway and Tyrone game which saw bumper crowds at the stadium, to see this is extremely disappointing. They have defaced the pitch and the damage done could now put the upcoming U17 and U20 scheduled games in two weeks’ time in doubt,” explained Micheal.

It’s thought that the culprits first broke into the stadium grounds on Monday night, broke locks and got the lawnmower going and did some minor damage.

This was discovered by the caretaker on Tuesday morning and the gardai were alerted. The large lawnmower was put back in storage and locked up, but the culprits returned on Tuesday afternoon, sometime around 4pm and did further and much more extensive damage.

The caretaker happened to come upon them during Tuesday afternoon’s incident but those involved ran off and the gardai attended the scene for the second time that day.

“We think it was a group of young fellas involved. This is bad for the stadium but it’s also bad for the town,” remarked Micheal.

The vandalism has resulted not only in a significant financial cost to the stadium committee who will have to have the pitch and the large lawnmower repaired, but the loss of County fixtures would be a huge loss to the stadium and the town.

Galway begin their Connacht U-20 Football Championship next week and are scheduled to play Mayo in Tuam Stadium on Wednesday, March 26. Galway’s U-17s are scheduled to play Roscommon also in Tuam Stadium on March 28. Both of these fixtures could be lost to the stadium because of the damage caused.

“It’s hugely disappointing. The stadium is a huge part of the town and the community. Everyone is proud of the works carried out and the opening of the new stand. We’re all volunteers trying to progress its development,” said Micheal.

“Those involved probably thought it was a bit of fun but it’s not fun when the repercussions could interfere with games being played at the stadium.

“The grass will grow again in a few weeks but at this stage we don’t know if it will be fit for the two Galway games,” added Micheal, who noted the only positive was that the pitch was dry at the time.

“We want people to know that this type of vandalism is not acceptable. We’d hope those involved would learn from this and take responsibility for what they’ve done. It’s just not good enough.

“It would be great to see these young lads getting involved in sport themselves and perhaps it would be a chance to bring about change in their future,” he concluded.

Anyone with information in relation to the incidents at Tuam Stadium on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon is asked to contact Tuam Garda Station on 093-70840 or any member of Tuam Stadium Committee.