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Joyriders' car destroys vital
water pump
14.01.09
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
THE thoughtless actions of joyriders were being
blamed by locals yesterday after a vital water pump
serving an isolated Linsfort community was destroyed
in a fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Shortly before 1am, Gardai and the Fire Brigade were
called to the scene of a fire at the side of the
road in Gortyaragan, where a small car was found
ablaze.
The burning car was in close proximity to a water
pump, which was damaged beyond repair, according to
local resident Liam Fullerton.
“About ten homes in the area have been without water
since Friday following the fire, said the
construction worker. “We aren’t able to wash or
flush our toilet at my house. I have had to take a
day off work [Monday] to ring around the council and
see if the problem can be fixed.”
Because of low water pressure, a motorised pump was
put in place two years ago to allow homeowners in
Aghaweel and Gortyaragan to access water from the
local network at Slavery. |
“We had a long hard
fight to get this pump and now these vandals have
undone all our work,” said Mr Fullerton has been in
contact with Donegal County Council to find out if
the water pump can be replaced.
“It’s just broken to smithereens, the pump and box,
its kiosk, it’s all been destroyed,” added Mr
Fullerton, who put the cost of the damage at around
€25,000.
Joyriding is a common practice on the backroads of
Linsfort, according to Mr Fullerton who said 2-3
cars are found burnt out in the area each year.
“Three months ago there was a big chase here
involving joyriders and the Gardai and I know the
Guards have |
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had a lot of trouble
with people speeding on quads.”
Mr Fullerton held the view that locals would have a
good idea who was responsible for the fire last
Friday night.
Gardai in Buncrana are appealing for anyone who was
in the Aughaweel area at around 12.45am on Saturday
morning and might have seen some suspicious activity
to contact them at 9320540. |
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