Leisure activity provider hit by acts of vandalism

The owner of Boyne Valley Activities in Trim has spoken out over vandalism caused to his premises over the Christmas period by a group of youths who he said are “creating havoc” around the town.

James Murray told how a bench was set on fire, the ESB meter box was smashed and litter was strewn all around the area, while benches that had been bolted were also unscrewed.

He said the bench that was set alight was up against a steel cabin but if it had been up against the wooden office, it could have been burnt down.

Taking to social media, he appealed to parents who know their children hang out in the area as part of this gang, to keep them away.

He told how younger gangs would have gathered in the evenings in their shelter and it never really bothered them as they were only “chilling out with their mates and causing no harm”.

“That was until they set fire to one of the benches at the Coffee Dock just before Christmas. Over the Christmas break they smashed up the ESB meter box-the clowns could have been electrocuted!” he wrote on Facebook.

“If you're a parent and see this and know your little Johnny ‘chills out’ down at Boyne Valley Activities will you get real and keep them away from here. Trim-Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2022-bring the judges in here and see what’s living here. Disgusting and disgraceful.”

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle last week, James said there are a lot of problems being caused by this group who are all under 17.

“I am on to the gardai regularly but their hands are tied. It is frustrating for them as well. These youths are creating havoc throughout the town.

“On Wednesday evening, they were abusing shoppers and shopkeepers on Emmet Street.

We are reporting incidents and gardai are doing what they can but they can't do much because of their age.”

James also spoke of incidents last summer where youths were throwing rocks from the bridge as he brought a kayak tour down the river and said the group of teachers from Malahide was horrified by what happened.

Because of the sensitivity of the area which is a special area of conservation, James said floodlights are not allowed but he said he may have no option to look at extra security.

Boyne Valley Activities is ten years in business this year and James doesn't want the actions of this group to take away from all the positive developments in the area. “We have worked hard to launch the Boyne Blueway Trim in partnership with Meath County Council, Boyne Valley Tourism and Failte Ireland and welcomed almost 5,000 visitors to Trim on to the River Boyne between school tours, summer camps and activity packages over the summer months,” he said.