Crime & Law

Windows in buildings and cars smashed in spate of overnight incidents in Westport

Head of local Order of Malta describes scene as ‘like the aftermath of a riot’

One of the buildings in which windows were smashed in Westport. Photograph: Conor McKeown
One of the buildings in which windows were smashed in Westport. Photograph: Conor McKeown
Tom Shiel
Fri Sept 27 2024 - 16:37

Gardaí are investigating a spate of criminal damage in Westport, Co Mayo in which the local Order of Malta headquarters, a library and a HSE residential unit sustained extensive damage.

The windows in six cars were also smashed around 4.30am as well as windows in a HSE minibus in the St Mary’s Crescent area.

Twenty one windows in the Order of Malta building at St John’s Place were also broken.

Eamon Berry, head of the local Order of Malta, described the scene as “like the aftermath of a riot”.

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He said he was “horrified and shocked” by the extent of the damage.

Windows were also smashed in a number of cars. Photograph: Conor McKeown
Windows were also smashed in a number of cars. Photograph: Conor McKeown

The Order of Malta building was also used by community groups.

In the adjoining HSE building triple glazed windows had been smashed in on top of vulnerable users, Mr Berry told Midwest Radio.

“There is psychological damage also,” he said.

Gardaí sealed off the area and a man in his 30s was arrested later on Friday and is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at a Garda station in the western region.