Anger over suspected arson attack in Donegal village’s ’secret garden’ - Donegal Daily

The Donegal Fire Service was called to Castlefin on Sunday evening after trees were allegedly set alight in the town’s Secret Garden.The incident, which was des...

The Donegal Fire Service was called to Castlefin on Sunday evening after trees were allegedly set alight in the town’s Secret Garden.

The incident, which was described as "disgraceful and deeply upsetting", left trees and bird nests damaged in the community space close to homes and the local school.

Castlefin Tidy Towns said the fire was the latest in a series of incidents over the past 18 months involving damage to plants, ornaments and lights, rubbish being thrown around the town and a previous suspected arson attempt.

Volunteers said some damaged items had previously been replaced, only for the replacements to be damaged again, resulting in significant cost.

Due to the location of the latest fire, volunteers said there was a serious risk that it could have spread to properties.

The group said it had previously avoided highlighting antisocial behaviour in the town but felt the latest incident had "taken things too far".

“Not alone have trees and wildlife being damaged, there will also be a significant cost to removing and replacing the trees, replacing the lights and repairing the electrical connections," they said.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and local councillor Gary Doherty has condemned the incident and said: “The volunteers and CE workers involved with Castlefin Tidy Towns put a huge amount of time, effort and pride into making our town a better place to live and visit. To see that work deliberately damaged like this is infuriating,” he said.

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“There is no excuse for this. People, particularly young people, need to understand that setting fires and repeatedly destroying community property is not harmless messing, it is dangerous, costly and potentially criminal behaviour.

“The fact that this fire was set so close to homes and the school makes it even more serious. It could very easily have spread and the consequences could have been much worse."

Castlefin Tidy Towns said it hopes the latest incident will bring an end to the repeated damage and appealed for greater respect for community property and the work carried out by local volunteers.

The group paid tribute to its Community Employment Scheme workers and committee members, saying they put considerable time and effort into making Castlefin an attractive place to live and visit.

It also thanked the wider community for supporting local fundraising and grant applications which help fund improvement works around the town.

Cllr Doherty added: “Castlefin has a brilliant community spirit and the actions of a small number of people will not define our town. Huge credit to everyone involved with Castlefin Tidy Towns for the work they continue to do on behalf of the whole community.”