Council Condemns Vandalism that is Putting Public Safety at Risk and Damaging Community Spaces

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has condemned recent vandalism in Omagh at the OASIS Plaza and Drumragh Avenue car park, as well as the repeated damage caused to newly installed artwork at Old Market Place.

On the evening of Monday 10 August or during the early hours of the following morning, coping stones were damaged at the OASIS Plaza, creating a significant health and safety risk for members of the public. Broken glass was strewn across the OASIS Plaza while graffiti was sprayed on parking spaces at Drumragh Avenue car park.

In separate incidents new artwork at Old Market Place, Omagh, which forms part of the Council’s Liveable Laneways Scheme, has been repeatedly damaged since installation on 10th August. The artwork was installed as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the appearance of the town centre and create a more attractive and welcoming environment for residents and visitors.

Council maintenance teams responded immediately once the vandalism was discovered to make the areas safe and ensure public safety.

Condemning the vandalism, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Debbie Coyle, said:

“We are extremely concerned by these ongoing acts of vandalism and reckless behaviour in Omagh which have been reported to the PSNI for further investigation. The damage to the coping stones at the OASIS Plaza was particularly alarming. There was a very real risk that debris could have fallen onto pedestrians using the Riverside Walk below and, had someone been in the area at the time, the consequences could have been very serious.

Council maintenance teams were required to immediately prioritise these incidents to ensure public safety. This meant valuable time and resources were diverted from other scheduled and improvement works across the District. While temporary measures have been put in place to make the coping stones safe, Council staff will need to return to complete permanent repairs once suitable replacement coping stones have been sourced.

It is also disappointing to see the damaged caused to the artwork at Old Market Place. The repeated damage to this artwork is the latest vandalism to the area which undermines the positive enhancement and regeneration work being undertaken to enhance and regenerate the area.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to maintaining safe, clean and welcoming public spaces for residents and visitors. I urge those responsible to consider the wider consequences of their actions, which are placing public safety at risk, damaging community assets and diverting resources that could otherwise be used to maintain and improve local facilities.”

Anyone who becomes aware of vandalism or damage to Council property should contact Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on 0300 303 1777 or email info@fermanaghomagh.com. Furthermore, if anyone witnesses an act of vandalism taking place, they should report it to the PSNI immediately on 999 if there is a risk of serious injury, immediate danger or a crime is in progress.