“THERE’S no excusing it,” Minister Patrick O’Donovan has said regarding the incident of alleged criminal vandalism at a vacant property in College Court last week.
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, responded to questions about the incident before heading into the informal meeting of the EU Presidency held on Tuesday at the University of Limerick.
It has been almost a week since Gardaí were called to the Castletroy estate in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Thousands of euros worth of damage were understood to have been caused at the house following reports of a large public gathering. Since the incident, no arrests have yet been made.
“It’s under Garda investigation, but I couldn’t believe it,” he continued. “I know that the local Chief Super [Superintendent] here in Henry Street is dealing with it and ultimately, it’s a matter for the guards to bring forward a prosecution because it is criminal damage.”
“I don’t think there’s any excusing it,” he added. “They’re young people and they’re facing criminal prosecution for huge damage done to an individual’s private dwelling.”
Minister O’Donovan shared that he believes that the universities involved should take responsibility. He explained, “I think that the colleges, and I say that plurally, from which these people came from need to reflect as well.”
“There has to be consequences. The respective colleges and universities will have to deal with that, and the guards will have to deal with it in the courts.”
UL Student President Eva McCormack released a statement last week, stating they are “deeply shocked and disappointed at the allegations of any students causing criminal damage or engaging in anti-social behaviour.”
Minister O’Donovan was brought to hospital by ambulance after becoming ill at the UL Sports Arena on Tuesday.
Anyone with any information that may assist in the investigation is encouraged to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212 400 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.