Outrage as historic Laois landmark vandalised with graffiti
The Rock of Dunamase has been destroyed with black spray paint in recent days
There has been outrage locally following the vandalism of a historic landmark in Laois.
The Rock of Dunamase has been targeted with graffiti in recent days, with words spraypainted to the historic ruins.
Local man Mark Condon regularly photographs the ruins, and noticed the graffiti on Thursday April 23.
Pictured: Graffiti spotted on the Rock of Dunamase last week. Photo: Mark Condon
"I grew up at the foot of the rock, and it felt like my childhood was destroyed. My memories of my youth are out running around the rock with my cousins, playing soldiers with our shoes sticking to the tar in the summers. The rock has always been important to me, I'm always photographing it with my camera or my drone," he said.
The Portlaoise man said that locals are fearing antisocial behaviour around the landmark.
"We are afraid of this behaviour. It's a very childish thing to have written, so it's likely teenagers. We are worried though because it's graffiti today, what's next?" he said.
Mr Condon shared the photos he snapped of the graffiti in a local community forum, which garnered outrage and frustration from people.
"A lot of people were angry, some were sad- people are frustrated," he said.
Pictured: The graffiti written on the historic ruins
This is not the first time the landmark ruins have been vandalised. In 2019, letters and initials were similarly plastered on the ruins in black spray paint.
The incident resulted in a garda investigation into criminal damage at the site.
Portlaoise Councillor Tommy Mulligan has recently appealed for the provision of lighting at the site, 14 months since his previous rejected request.
The construction of an onsite car park is expected to be completed this summer.
Construction began last year on the new visitor carpark and toilets at the historical Laois site following a large scale archaeological survey.
The project will see the creation of 40 carparking spaces, one disabled space, and two bus parking bays near the Church of Ireland chapel at the site.
Funding of €1,797,894 was approved under the EU Just Transition Fund for Laois County Council to complete the works.