POLICE are investigating criminal damage which was caused to the Mill Race Walk in Ballinamallard last weekend.
Some time between Friday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 sensored lighting near the tunnel of the walk was deliberately smashed and brickwork on the roof of the tunnel was also damaged.
Describing those responsible as “hooligans”, Bert Johnston from Ballinamallard Development Association, says he is disgusted by the destruction.
“To think that people in this community would would destroy one of the best schemes to ever come to Ballinamallard -- I am just disgusted by it,” he told the Impartial Reporter.
Mr. Johnston had been a sitting councillor with the former Fermanagh District Council when the Mill Walk was being developed.
“We had to fight hard to get it,” he explained.
“It was match funding that made it happen in the end.
“So I am sad to think that despite all the work that was put in to get it, there are people who live in this community who would try to destroy it.
“They must have used hammers, or something like that because the lighting has been smashed and the brickwork on the tunnel has been damaged as well.
“Now when you approach the tunnel, there are no sensored lights to come on. 
“They have all been destroyed.
“There is graffiti too on the tunnel. 
“There are just no words to condemn the actions of the hooligans responsible for this. It is such a lovely scheme and something that I am proud to have here in our area.”
Erne North councillor, Raymond Farrell, has also spoken out against those responsible.
“This is a beautiful nature walk, valued by so many in the village and indeed further afield,” he said.
“This took investment both in terms of design and money and is loved by the local people. 
“This damage did not just happen, sadly it was intentional and that saddens me most. Now we have a situation where ratepayers money has to go into repairing something that should have been used to further enhance and improve peoples lives. 
“I would appeal to who ever is doing this to stop. Not only are you going to have a criminal record but you are depriving the village of Ballinamallard and its people of something they invested in over the years and is such a positive asset to the area.”
Constable Liz Cullen has appealed to anyone who may have information about the incident to contact Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 334 12/06/17. Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.